Published Tuesday, 12 December, 2006 at 11:28 AM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT DRIVING CAREERS INITIATIVES IN SCHOOLS
Parliament House was the venue today for a car race between a senior Government Minister and a Year 12 student to promote careers in manufacturing.
Minister for State Development John Mickel and Michael Chandler from Noosa District State High School raced cars powered by carbon dioxide bulbs at the launch of the Re-Engineering Australia (REA) Forum Ltd Design and Technology Hubs in Queensland secondary schools.
“I gave him a run for his money but Michael was just too good for me. After all, he was a member of the senior team that won the Queensland title in the 2005 REA School Innovation Design Challenge,” Mr Mickel said.
“His success reflects the value of the REA Hubs which allow students to design, test and manufacture model racing cars using technology such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
“The next generation of Queensland engineers who participate in the Hubs will also be exposed to the use of ‘state of the art’ design software - Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA).
“Students then enter their cars in the Schools Innovation Design Challenge.
“Noosa District State High School is one of the first schools to adopt a Hub. Other Hubs are being established at Smithfield, Goondiwindi, Narangba Valley, Bremer, Varsity College, Moranbah, Pine Rivers, Kingston, Townsville, Biloela and Mirani.
“Primary school students are also captivated by the design and innovation challenge and by the time they go to high school are really motivated to participate in the Hubs program.
“Each Hub will become a central point for several linked secondary schools in each area via advanced communication technologies that allow for remote design and manufacture.”
Mr Mickel said Re-Engineering Australia Forum Ltd is a not-for-profit group of industry, government and education organisations working to ensure a bright future for Australian industry.
The REA Hubs concept is funded through the Workplace Excellence Program, a key component of the Queensland Government’s $8 million Advanced Manufacturing Plan.
“The manufacturing industry plays a critical role in the Queensland economy, contributing several billion dollars a year and employing 195,000 people,” Mr Mickel said.
“We need to demonstrate to secondary students the diverse careers available to them in manufacturing and the REA Hubs will certainly capture their imagination.
“The concept also complements the Beattie Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan.
“The aim is to create more highly skilled workers to fill the rewarding job opportunities that are being created in Queensland,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
Minister for State Development John Mickel and Michael Chandler from Noosa District State High School raced cars powered by carbon dioxide bulbs at the launch of the Re-Engineering Australia (REA) Forum Ltd Design and Technology Hubs in Queensland secondary schools.
“I gave him a run for his money but Michael was just too good for me. After all, he was a member of the senior team that won the Queensland title in the 2005 REA School Innovation Design Challenge,” Mr Mickel said.
“His success reflects the value of the REA Hubs which allow students to design, test and manufacture model racing cars using technology such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM).
“The next generation of Queensland engineers who participate in the Hubs will also be exposed to the use of ‘state of the art’ design software - Computer Aided Three-Dimensional Interactive Application (CATIA).
“Students then enter their cars in the Schools Innovation Design Challenge.
“Noosa District State High School is one of the first schools to adopt a Hub. Other Hubs are being established at Smithfield, Goondiwindi, Narangba Valley, Bremer, Varsity College, Moranbah, Pine Rivers, Kingston, Townsville, Biloela and Mirani.
“Primary school students are also captivated by the design and innovation challenge and by the time they go to high school are really motivated to participate in the Hubs program.
“Each Hub will become a central point for several linked secondary schools in each area via advanced communication technologies that allow for remote design and manufacture.”
Mr Mickel said Re-Engineering Australia Forum Ltd is a not-for-profit group of industry, government and education organisations working to ensure a bright future for Australian industry.
The REA Hubs concept is funded through the Workplace Excellence Program, a key component of the Queensland Government’s $8 million Advanced Manufacturing Plan.
“The manufacturing industry plays a critical role in the Queensland economy, contributing several billion dollars a year and employing 195,000 people,” Mr Mickel said.
“We need to demonstrate to secondary students the diverse careers available to them in manufacturing and the REA Hubs will certainly capture their imagination.
“The concept also complements the Beattie Government’s $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan.
“The aim is to create more highly skilled workers to fill the rewarding job opportunities that are being created in Queensland,” he said.
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.