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Roger AtkinsDirector Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy19 October 2012

QMEA – Case Study of a School‐Industry Partnership

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Launched in 2006 as a partnership between the QRC and the Queensland Government, the QMEA is:

• A response by the QRC to research indicating a low profile of the resources sector among Queensland secondary students when considering careers

• A response to the emerging skills shortage in the resources sector and dysfunctional links between education, training and industry needs

• Part of a larger ‘Gateway’ schools Smart State project by the government to build better school‐industry links  across a range of industries

• A unique Academy composed of 34 state and independent  schools across the state including up to  30 000 students

• Now the largest school‐industry partnership in Australia

• It’s about – the Social License to Operate & Enlightened Self‐Interest

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Northern RegionCloncurry State SchoolKirwan State High School, TownsvilleSpinifex State College, Mount IsaCentral North RegionDysart State High SchoolEmerald State High SchoolMiddlemount Community SchoolMoranbah State High SchoolPioneer State High School, MackayCentral South RegionBiloela State High SchoolBlackwater State High SchoolMoura State High SchoolNorth Rockhampton State High SchoolToolooa State High School, GladstoneWadja Wadja High SchoolGladstone State High SchoolTannum Sands State High SchoolChanel College

Surat Basin RegionChinchilla State High SchoolDalby State High SchoolDownlands College, ToowoombaOakey State High SchoolPittsworth State High SchoolRoma State CollegeToowoomba State High SchoolSt John’s School, RomaTara Shire State CollegeSouthern RegionAlexandra Hills State High SchoolAnglican Church Grammar School, BrisbaneBundamba State Secondary College, IpswichNanango State High SchoolWavell State High School, Brisbane

QMEA Schools 2012

Wandoan RegionMiles State High SchoolTaroom State SchoolWandoan State School

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Foundation Sponsors

Coal Seam Gas Sponsors

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CSG and LNG Program partners:

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Additional Sponsors

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Vision

By 2014 the QMEA will be recognised, at the state and national level, as the pre-eminent industry-education partnership opening pathways to increasing numbers of into rewarding careers in the resources sector.

General Objectives

• To assist the resource sector to meet its future workforce needs into the 21st century

• To develop opportunities and implement programs for the resources sector to demonstrate its commitment to its communities

• To increase the number and quality of young people choosing careers in the resources sector

Vision and Purpose:

Priority Objectives

•Targeted programs across four pathways:

OperatorTrade TechnicalProfessional

• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM):StudentsTeachers

• Indigenous employment though school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SATs) Recruiting Advising Mentoring Sustaining

• Vocational Education and Training in schools (VET)

Supporting skill and trade training centres

Access to industry training resources

Online support materials

• Women in the Resources Sector:

4Girls2 It’s All About ME (Minerals and Energy)

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Operations• Sustain the QRC‐Queensland 

Government partnership and governance model 

• Ensure financial sustainability of the QMEA with a wide diversity of support from industry (sponsorship and program specific) and government (state and commonwealth)

• With growth, expand to premises in the Brisbane area and establish a physical site in Brisbane to support remote and virtual operations and excellence in teacher professional development

• Expand QMEA programs beyond Academy schools where financially and operationally possible 

Key Strategies

Education:

• Raise student awareness of the minerals and energy industries through the development and implementation of appropriate curricula and learning programs.

• Implement innovative strategies to build teachers’ knowledge of, and teaching methods in, the minerals and energy industries by establishing and implementing professional development opportunities.

• Recognise teacher and student achievement in minerals and energy related studies and activities.

Industry:

• Build strong links with industry to create interest and career pathways for young people to take up employment opportunities in the minerals and energy sector.

• Engage industry to develop and implement school curricula and teacher professional development which reflect current and emerging skills, knowledge and technology in industry.

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Curriculum 

• QMEA Science Maths & Related Technologies (QSMART)

• Robotics – Mine Mapping• Industry contextualised curriculum:

• CSG• LNG

• ‘Energy for the Future’ Workshops• Environmental Science:

• Pongamia Pinnata (bio‐diesel)• Site rehabilitation• Weed Warriors• Chinchilla gums

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Vocational Education & Training

• Certificate I & II in Resource Infrastructure & Operations (Anglo)

• School‐based Apprenticeships• Apprenticeship Aptitude Test Training 

Program (on‐line)• Cert III in Civil Construction Plant 

Operations• Site visits & Work experience• Mentors• Mynestart

Initiatives in Diversity:

• 4Girls2 ‐ women in the resource sector

• Trade Secrets & Dressed for Success

• Operational Working Women’s Group

• Indigenous Strategy – School Based SATs

• Mums for Mining

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Scholarships and Awards:

• Year 10, 11 & 12 School Awards (Trade and University strands)

• Senior Scholarships

• Teacher Scholarship and Teacher Recognition Awards

Technical 

• Engineering (Diploma) CAD SATs• Geographic Information Science• Surveying

Professional

• Engineering Camps:

• Mount Isa (Xstrata)

• Dysart and Moranbah (BMA)

• Toowoomba (Origin, Santos & 

QGC)

• Energy for the Future (Ensham & 

CQU)

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Teachers & Schools

• Extensive STEM PD• Support for Inquiry‐based 

Science PD• Support for Engineering 

Technology • Rock Tours (BMA)• Power Station tours (Stanwell)• Robotics PD• SIMTARS (DME)• Event Support Program

Tours, Excursions & Challenges:

• Try‐ a‐Trade• Mount Morgan• SIMTARS• Nanango Science Challenge• Gladstone Science Challenge• Port of Brisbane Robotics Tour• UQ Orientation

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What works in a growth phase?• Govt partnership but based in industry (usually peak body)

• EIS and SIMP inclusion• Access to senior industry and  government  members via Board as ‘champions’

• Niche curriculum development (e.g.. QSMART)

• Capacity to develop & offer programs outside of department driven formulae

• 4 Pathways model• Regionalisation of staff• Mixed funding model:

• Sponsorship • Govt Grants• Govt Programs• Regional Programs

What’s hard to get right?• Tracking student & outcomes across time and 

sectors • Provide evidence of value added and return on 

investment • Balance regional and academy wide demands• Develop a broadly based industry culture where 

resources put into education & training is an investment not a cost (varies across sectors)

How to be ‘counter‐cyclical’ – surviving in a constrained funding environment:Focussed:• Develop target groups (VET, professional pathways, females, indigenous, etc)• Manage student engagement, exit and outcomes via effective CRM and social

media• Phase from Junior to Senior in intensity and depth of programs• Programs focussed on unique strengths not replicated elsewhere

Flexible:• Staffing is the main cost – develop a flexible model with ‘core’ expertise and

flexible, regionally based, casual team• Develop a core range of programs supported in

schools with local variations rather than a broad suite of locally distinctive programs

• Programs extending beyond Academy schools

Funded:• Expand the range of industry funding by offering

‘badged’ and long-term ownership of specific programs in specific regions

• Changes in funding levels reflected in number of programs offered versus reduced staffing levels

• Fewer, or no, regionally and industry based collaborative programs

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Questions?: