The pupils, who are expecting to study earth and environmental science in the Higher School certificate next year, attended the 2016 Upper Hunter Mining Dialogue.

The forum, established in 2010, visited Muswellbrook Race Club, and provided the teenagers with valuable insight into local industries, and the discussions that surround them.

Students Ryan Pickett and Zach Pickett said they were interested in the possibility of getting a trade or apprenticeship.

Earth and environmental science teacher James Douglass said, while school had attended similar events before, it was the first time they had taken students to the dialogue.

As well as joining the main presentations, the pupils participated in separate workshops.

“These guys are in Year 10 so they're going to go into the course next year,” he said.

“They had a look at competing land use and some issues around that.”

Mr Douglass said it gave the students a bit of a glimpse into industry.

They also had the opportunity to look at rehabilitation work that had been done, and learned about new industry technologies.

Mr Douglass said he would consider bringing another class to the dialogue in the future.