Through a partnership with the mining industry, in particular BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance’s Saraji and Norwich Park mines, Queensland Dysart State High School students are improving their job prospects.

For the past four years all Year 12 students from the high school have gone on to jobs or training in the mining industry.

Dysart High School is part of the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy (QMEA) which is chaired by Queensland Resources Council chief Michael Roche.

Roche said the partnership between the school and industry had achieved “outstanding” results.

“Significantly, 64 per cent of students exiting the school year last year received an OP [tertiary entrance score] and were awarded a VET qualification, compared with fewer than 20 per cent of students from the 44 secondary schools across central and western Queensland,” Roche said.

The partnership includes access to mine personnel who assist students and teachers in the mine-related curriculum, financial assistance to help with external training and extracurricular activities, resources to help in the curriculum delivery and sponsorships.

On Friday night, Queensland Education and Training Minister Rod Welford presented Dysart High School with a Showcase Award for Excellence in Schools for its work with the mining industry.