JUNE 2017 MEDIA ARTICLE
The quiet shuffle and buzz of excitement from students ushering in could be heard as a vibrant feel passed through the auditorium at North Metropolitan TAFE once again. The venue was host to the 6th year of Get Into Resources, with just under 400 secondary schools students attending the 3-day interactive event which showcases careers in the resources industry.
This June, 15 schools across metropolitan and regional areas of Western Australia enjoyed the Get Into Resources experience, including Armadale Senior High School, Bunbury Catholic College, Butler College, Byford Secondary College, Canning Vale College, Cecil Andrews College, Dianella Secondary College, Duncraig Senior High School, Kent Street Senior High School, The Kings College, Mercy College, Merredin College, Pinjarra Senior High School, Rockingham Senior High School and Southern River College. Students from this year’s cohort added to a total of more than 1,500 students who have benefited from Get Into Resources since it began in 2012.
Get Into Resources facilitates student knowledge about the opportunities available in the resources sector and gives them an understanding of what people who actually work in the industry every day, do. This takes place in an environment where students and presenters are encouraged to interact together by asking questions and sharing answers. This unique opportunity allows students to find out more about some of the 150 different roles available in the resources sector.
To reflect an industry with many different entry pathways, student groups are registered in the event by their schools, by indicating a preference for either a trades stream (for VET/apprenticeships) or a professional’s stream (ATAR pathways).
Volunteers from the industry take time out of their working day to facilitate the interactive workshops related to their job and skills, with students and teachers participating with them in hands-on activities.
Each day, new groups of students were treated to an inspiring Guest Speaker. The first on the Wednesday was Sandfire Resources NL Chief Exploration and Business Development Officer, Mr Bruce Hooper. On Thursday it was CGG’s Multi Client and New Ventures Sales Manager, Ms Heather Carey, and for Friday was Ms Allison Selman, the Asset & Integrity Management Business Stream Leader at Atteris and a Co-ordinator for Women in Subsea Engineering (also known as WISE).
The students shared experiences from professional and trade specialist presenters which ranged from safety and emergency, geology and mapping, drilling equipment and techniques, ventilation and simulated excavation techniques, fluid dynamics, 
engineering, rock and drill core sampling, geology mine face mapping, environmental scientists, metallurgists, surveyors, and human resources. Students also heard how the presenters ended up in their field of work as well as the associated school subjects that are directly applicable in each job type. Interactive activities included were surveying with 3D imaging, a simulated welding competition, a 360º virtual reality tour of the North Rankin Oil Platform Complex and a chemical engineering/metallurgy activity involving real copper extraction, building spaghetti towers and marshmallow catapults, as well as sessions focused on helping students develop employability skills, such as participating in a resume writing workshop. Enjoyment was clear from the buzz emanating from the rooms as students participated in the interactive activities!
The clicking of hardhats, fussing over straightening helmets and adjusting a head lamp were just some of the ways the students demonstrated their excitement when it was their turn to go through The CUT Mine – the pioneering learning resource at North Metropolitan TAFE. This amazing simulated underground mine is located right in the heart of metropolitan Perth and provides a real ‘hands on’ experience of life working underground – complete with noise, darkness and even a blasting sequence simulation. Volunteer mining engineers and geologists provided the students with lively commentary about working in an underground environment.
Students also had the chance to chat with representatives from Curtin University, Apprenticeships Australia, the Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Division, St Barbara Limited, Independence Group NL and Sandfire Resources NL in the exhibitor booth area.
Support for the event was again received from the Get Into Resources Founding Partners North Metropolitan TAFE and Earth Science Western Australia. In addition, we express our gratitude to the Platinum level sponsors for 2017, namely Sandfire Resources NL,
St Barbara Limited, Independence Group and the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia; Gold level was the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Silver level the Department of Mines and Petroleum and Bronze was the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and Digirock. In kind support was forthcoming from Rio Tinto, AngloGold Ashanti, Eve Enterprises, Amec Foster Wheeler and South 32.
Throughout the day, students could participate in a Quiz related to the resources industry and interact with booth presenters to help with the answers. One prize is offered for each day of the event, making three prizes in total. The generous Quiz prize is an all-expenses paid day trip for the winning student, their teacher and a friend who attended Get Into Resources too, to Sandfire’s DeGrussa Mine, compliments of Platinum sponsor Sandfire Resources NL.
Both students and teachers were again dazzled with all of the information and opportunities available within the resources industry for future careers. Amazing feedback from both students and teachers continues to demonstrate that the event showcases the choices, opportunities and different journeys available for choosing a resources sector career. North Metropolitan TAFE STEM Director Paula Dewhurst says the event gave students great exposure to courses, facilities and training and career pathways available.
Many thanks go to everyone who supported this year’s successful Get Into Resources event. More information about GIR2017 and our plans for GIR2018 in areas For Students, For Teachers, For Industry Professionals, and For potential Sponsors, is available at our website: www.getintoresources.com
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