The North Queensland Pathways in Technology P-Tech industry learning experience on the 10^th March 2021, stepped 26 Tec-NQ students through a series of workshops, showcasing the types of work available to future graduates.

Sam Fraser from Ergon Energy, Lance Pendergast from FNQ Growers, Matthew Norman from Biomedical Technical Services and Connor Baird from Rockfield Technology facilitated workshops with engineering and electrical students at the Douglas Campus in an industry showcase.

“It’s very important to us to create real life collaborative learning experiences like this,” said Julie Hyde, CEO of Tec-NQ.

“Inviting industry leaders into our college to work directly with students gives an experience like no other,” she added.

“These students are participating in engineering and electrical career pathways and gained more knowledge about the careers available to them after grauation, more awareness of the innovative work happening right here in Townsville, and have some real connections with industry,” Julie commented.

“Who knows? Maybe one of the presenters will be a future employer of some of these students,” she added.

“The Industry Showcase involved innovation lessons, hands-on workshops and open discussion between the students and industry leaders,” said Julie.

This is the second annual event of it’s kind, hosted by Tec-NQ and supported by the Australian Government. Previous graduates of the engineering and electrical program have gone onto securing electrical or engineering apprenticeships, or continued with further study such as the Bachelor of Engineering at James Cook University (JCU).

North Queensland’s best and brightest apprentices will vie for the coveted title of Apprentice of the Year at Tec-NQ’s industry awards gala on 26 March in Townsville.

Tec-NQ Chief Executive Officer Julie Hyde said the highly anticipated Tec-NQ Apprentice of the Year Awards recognised apprentices with an exemplary attitude, commitment and high standard of work.

“An ‘Apprentice of the Year’ will be chosen for each of nine categories and provided scholarships to further their nationally-accredited careers in the construction, electrical, automotive and engineering sectors,” Julie said.

“All of our 27 nominees are passionate about their chosen trades, showing genuine willingness join the workforce and grow their skills, so our judges had their work cut out for them,” she added.

Tec-NQ is a registered training organisation (RTO), independent senior secondary school and accredited boarding school that partners with industry to deliver trade-based career opportunities for North Queensland students.

“We offer something different to a typical training environment, growing the next generation of tradespeople through real-world skills development and offering exceptional support to our vast network of local employers,” Julie said.

“Tickets to the annual gala have sold out, marking a bumper time for Tec-NQ as our enrolments climb and we’re seeing a growing number of local businesses keen to engage our work-ready apprentices.”

The 2021 Tec-NQ Apprentice of the Year categories are:

• Light Vehicle Apprentice of the Year
• Heavy Vehicle Apprentice of the Year
• Engineering Fabrication Apprentice of the Year
• Engineering Mechanical Apprentice of the Year
• Engineering Diesel Fitting Apprentice of the Year
• Carpentry Apprentice of the Year
• Plumbing Apprentice of the Year
• Electrical Apprentice of the Year Townsville
• Electrical Apprentice of the Year Mackay

Established in 2009, Tec-NQ provides senior schooling, full-time apprentice training, short courses, pre-employment programs and school-based learning programs to students hailing from Thursday Island to Longreach and all communities in-between.

In 2021 the doors will swing open on a newly built boarding accommodation in Townsville to continue Tec-NQ’s tradition of supporting students from rural and remote communities to further their nationally-accredited trade careers.

In November, Tec-NQ hosted an Industry 4.0 Project Launch in recognition of the completion of our first cohort of P-Tech students. Focused on current skills shortage solutions, P-TECH is a future skills pathway that equips students in the Townsville region with industry relevant skills.

Our keynote speaker and special guest was Shay Chalmers, Executive Director of Qld Manufacturing Institute. The event was attended by representatives from the Manufacturing Hub, the Gateway to Industry School Program, the Queensland Department of Employment Small Business and Training, and the Australian Industry Training Hub.

The video footage from that event features interviews with key staff and industry partners Ergon Energy and Modern Project Solutions Pty Ltd.

Much thanks to P-Tech industry partners Wilmar Sugar, Biomedical Technology Services, FNQ Growers, Rockfield Technologies, LiXiA, FNQ Growers, Modern Project Solutions, Ergon Energy and the Manufacturing Hub for their continued support.