Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Michael Roche welcomed the initiative, saying the state’s booming resources sector had a strong demand for engineers.

Numerous scholarships and other financial support has been made available to engineering students, including QRC’s own scholarships - worth up to $A40,000 each -aimed at attracting year 12 (final year) students into engineering, earth science and environmental science courses.

“We are not necessarily looking for A+ students, but those who are passionate about a career in the resources sector. We want our scholarship students to be our ambassadors,” Roche said.

QRC, along with the Queensland Government, is developing a Minerals & Energy Academy, designed to increase the number of students pursuing trades and tertiary studies relevant to the minerals and energy sectors.

The academy involves a network of ‘hub’ and ‘gateway’ schools, focusing attention on maths and science-related subjects and providing pathways from school to the industry through work experience opportunities.

The academy, to be up and running next year, will involve more than 20 selected high schools throughout Queensland.

The QRC is also running a careers awareness program involving careers markets and television advertising.

“Our own research told us that young people were not aware of the wide range of resources sector careers, so we’ve been out there telling them about the many opportunities available,” said Roche.