Teens taught for autonomous future jobs

The cliché goes ‘if you want to know something about computers, ask a 14-year-old.’ Well, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) in Queensland has taken that to heart. It has joined with TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity to help high school students earn a qualification for emerging autonomous technology roles. The Queensland Future Skills (QFS) Partnership will deliver government subsidised training for the brand-new Certificate II in Autonomous Technologies to students in Central Queensland and Brisbane. Pathways for emerging industries Automation promises great potential for our future productivity in resources, advanced manufacturing and a range of other sectors, TAFE Queensland chief executive officer Mary Campbell said. “A certificate II level qualification will give the students a good taste of what kind of work goes into autonomous technologies and with the backing of BMA we have a major employer demonstrating their interest in developing this pathway.” “Understanding the key concepts and gaining some familiarity of how equipment and software can make a complicated task easier or keep workers safe will help to attract young people to pursue careers in this field.” The program is an 18-month pilot phase to provide up to 120 high school students the opportunity to participate in this new qualification that has been developed by industry for jobs of the future. The Queensland Future Skills Partnership commenced delivery to four Central Queensland state high schools from Semester 2, 2021 including Moranbah, Dysart and Blackwater State High Schools. The pilot has since been expanded with a wider intake in Semester 1, 2022 to other priority areas of the state including Brisbane, Bundaberg and Mackay which was facilitated through the QFS Partnership along with the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA). Backed by students The course would help prepare candidates for the workforce of the future, Alexandra Hills Senior College student Kyle Pannan said. “This course will give us the critical thinking skills to think like a computer and fit in, in an increasingly technological world,” he said. The course provides participants with life-long learning skills to pursue pathways into further vocational or tertiary studies as well as the training and knowledge required to work within the fields of autonomous environments. The innovative training programs would support the industry and help create new jobs, BMA asset president Mauro Neves said. “These students are learning the skills required to lead BMA – and the broader mining and METS industry – into the future,” he said. “I’m thrilled to see this next phase of program increased to provide more students across Queensland with this fantastic learning opportunity as they will no doubt play a key role in the industry in years to come. “This contribution from the Queensland Government is a further demonstration of how we can work together to support future skills development and create new jobs for Queenslanders.” Main image: Alexandra Hills Senior College student Kyle Pannan is getting qualifications in emerging technology.

Teens taught for autonomous future jobs

Industry Queensland

Related News

Anglo rejects ‘opportunistic’ takeover push

Worker dies after 20m fall at wind farm site

Callide coal operation hits the 80-year mark

Get access to breaking mining news, now.