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Students
get taste of engineering and mining
A new project, which began in March 2007, is giving year 10, 11 and 12 students from four schools in Mackay a chance to find out more about careers in engineering and mining.
The project has been initiated by Local Community Partnership—the Mackay Region School Industry Link Scheme Inc.—and Bucyrus (Australia) Proprietary Ltd, a world leader in the manufacture of draglines, drills and shovels for the surface mining industry.
Bucyrus (Australia) Proprietary Ltd is important to the Mackay region’s economy and intends to remain a growing company with a talented and committed workforce. Management there believe that one way to ensure this is to involve and engage the region’s young people.
Their objective, through this project, is to simulate a workplace environment in the school. They also want to instil in students the need for and benefits of quality assurance, accuracy and attention to detail, workplace loyalty, and workplace health and safety.
The project includes site visits to Bucyrus’ main plant and a mine. Participating students will now carry out a building project at school with materials supplied by Onesteel. In addition, every week three students from each school will have a day of work experience at Bucyrus.
An important part of the project will be students assessing the profits—how many dollars were made. This consideration will help students to realise the true risks and the amount of work that goes into making a business successful. It will also help them realise the need to be accurate and thorough in everything they do.
It is hoped that other students can be involved in the overall project. For example:
- journalism students may report the project’s progress and create a DVD documentary to show at the celebration night
- graphic art students may design brochures and project reports
- hospitality students may plan and organise the celebration night
- accounting students may prepare weekly business and financial reports.
The participating schools are Holy Spirit College, Mirani State High School, Mercy College (St Patrick’s College is assisting Mercy with school workshop facilities) and Pioneer State High School.