Moranbah and Dysart teens are invited to expand their futures with Smart Transformation. With 2024 just around the corner, nominations are now open for Smart Transformation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC), supported by BMA.

Sixteen students currently in Years 8 to 11 at both Dysart and Moranbah State High Schools will get to participate in a wide range of activities including workplace tours and technology briefings, as well as the chance to provide a youth voice to Smart Transformation, which is working to future-proof the two towns.

Moranbah State High School student and 2023 YAC member Charlotte Sneyd highly recommended giving it a go.

“Absolutely. It opens your eyes up to valuable job opportunities and gives you experiences that really make you think about your future,” 16-year-old Charlotte said.

“It was really great being exposed to different work environments.”

Moranbah State High School teacher and YAC coordinator Rebecca Huggett said there are many benefits for YAC members.

“They see the uses of technology across multiple industries and workplaces, and really think about how technology is changing that way we work and the new skills we’ll all need in the future,” Rebecca said.

““YAC members also get the chance to represent their school and network with other students and industry representatives. They are the first to hear about new community initiatives and have their say on issues that affect them.

“Many students don’t yet know what they want to do for work in the future, but being on the YAC gives them the opportunity to talk to many different people and it really gets them thinking.”

Highlights of the year for the 2023 YAC members included tours of Goonyella Riverside Mine and the IROC facility in Brisbane.

“The students were really lucky – they got to not only view multiple parts of the mine including the automatic haulage space, but they also saw the trucks in operation and learnt about their safety features,” Rebecca said.

“They even got to simulate driving a truck, which was a big hit for those students who had their Learner’s driving license!”

The tours changed the way 15-year-old Dysart High School student Alex Wales is looking at his future.

“I didn’t want a career in the mines until I got to tour the IROC facility in Brisbane with the YAC. I was going to get into gaming technology but now I’m thinking about coding automated trucks,” Alex said.

“It is definitely worth putting your hand up for the YAC because we went to so many places that I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to see.”

Smart Transformation has a strong focus on the futures of the Moranbah and Dysart communities, with YAC members advising community-led Advisory Councils on community initiatives.

“It gives them a chance to provide a youth perspective on issues facing our community, as well as give feedback on new initiatives to help ensure that they meet the needs of our community,” Rebecca said.

Nomination forms for the 2024 YAC cohort are available at the schools’ offices and have to be returned by 24 November 2023. For more information about the YAC, check out the Smart Transformation website: www.smarttransformation.com.au