Published Tuesday, 26 August, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Premier in Western Queensland
The Honourable Kerry Shine
Dambuster Goes Gangbusters at Parlimanet House
A Dambuster 380 boat and trailer made from fibre composite material by students from Harristown State High School at Toowoomba and Wynnum North State High School was the star attraction at Parliament House today.
Built with the aid of industry partners under the State Government’s Manufacturing Starter Initiative, the Dambuster Project will culminate on Sunday with an auction of the boat and trailer at the upcoming Brisbane International Boat Show.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine inspected the boat at Parliament House on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle.
“This project was designed to provide students with technical skills and a greater understanding of manufacturing career options in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
“Manufacturing is the largest fulltime employer of Queenslanders and generates one third of our export earnings.
“But difficult times lie ahead if we don’t act now to address the skills shortage. It is expected that 170,000 people will retire from manufacturing nationally in the next five years yet only 40,000 apprentices are being trained to replace them.”
Mr Shine said students from Harristown State High School at Toowoomba have built the 3.8 metre boat from fibre composites while Wynnum North State High School students built the steel trailer to go with it.
“Fibre composites are at the forefront of Smart State technology and innovation. They are used in a diverse range of markets, from marine, aviation and defence, to transport, infrastructure and mining,” Mr Shine said.
“The fibre composites sector is growing rapidly. It already contributes $1.2 billion in domestic production and employs almost 7000 Queenslanders.
“The Dambuster Project has raised the profile of manufacturing but also shown students it is made up of many niches, from engineering and design to non-traditional fields like fibre composites.”
Mr Shine said the Manufacturing Starter Initiative was funded and managed jointly by the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, along with industry partners.
“That funding encourages partnerships between industry and the schools which are proving very fruitful,” Mr Shine said.
“Everyone gains. Students develop skills and knowledge to make decisions about their future. Teachers are able to integrate the world of work into the curriculum and industry are addressing the skills shortage as well as contributing to the local community.
“This particular project was the brainchild of Norm Watt from Buchanan Advanced Composites at Toowoomba and he has gained much from it, including new staff.”
Mr Shine said Mr Watt already had a link with Harristown State High School when he suggested students there build the boat. He then provided cash, material, factory space, supervisions and free mould rental.
“There was a proposal for students to make pencil cases out of fibre composites and I thought, no, let’s do a project that will involve students in all parts of the business,” Mr Watt said.
“A boat is a great project and a way to get kids involved in design, marketing, maths, computer modelling and shaping and cutting out the moulds on our milling machines.
“The skills shortage is one of the most important issues facing our industry so hopefully this project will expand into other schools and show kids that manufacturing is an attractive career option.
“I’ve signed up one school-based apprentice as a result and another female student is thinking hard about joining as well.
“A new group of students have now commenced making a second boat in a continuation of the project, and we hope to sign up more apprentices as both Composite Laminators and possibly other trades,” he said.
Mr Shine said the boat and trailer would be auctioned with a range of goods donated by project sponsors, including fishing rods, safety gear, insurance and an outboard motor at the Brisbane International Boat Show which starts tomorrow. The proceeds will be split between Harristown State High School and Wynnum North State High School and put towards future manufacturing projects.
Media contact: Mr Shine’s office 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Buchanan Advanced Composites: Norm Watt, 4633 1856
Built with the aid of industry partners under the State Government’s Manufacturing Starter Initiative, the Dambuster Project will culminate on Sunday with an auction of the boat and trailer at the upcoming Brisbane International Boat Show.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine inspected the boat at Parliament House on behalf of the Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry, Desley Boyle.
“This project was designed to provide students with technical skills and a greater understanding of manufacturing career options in Queensland,” Mr Shine said.
“Manufacturing is the largest fulltime employer of Queenslanders and generates one third of our export earnings.
“But difficult times lie ahead if we don’t act now to address the skills shortage. It is expected that 170,000 people will retire from manufacturing nationally in the next five years yet only 40,000 apprentices are being trained to replace them.”
Mr Shine said students from Harristown State High School at Toowoomba have built the 3.8 metre boat from fibre composites while Wynnum North State High School students built the steel trailer to go with it.
“Fibre composites are at the forefront of Smart State technology and innovation. They are used in a diverse range of markets, from marine, aviation and defence, to transport, infrastructure and mining,” Mr Shine said.
“The fibre composites sector is growing rapidly. It already contributes $1.2 billion in domestic production and employs almost 7000 Queenslanders.
“The Dambuster Project has raised the profile of manufacturing but also shown students it is made up of many niches, from engineering and design to non-traditional fields like fibre composites.”
Mr Shine said the Manufacturing Starter Initiative was funded and managed jointly by the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, along with industry partners.
“That funding encourages partnerships between industry and the schools which are proving very fruitful,” Mr Shine said.
“Everyone gains. Students develop skills and knowledge to make decisions about their future. Teachers are able to integrate the world of work into the curriculum and industry are addressing the skills shortage as well as contributing to the local community.
“This particular project was the brainchild of Norm Watt from Buchanan Advanced Composites at Toowoomba and he has gained much from it, including new staff.”
Mr Shine said Mr Watt already had a link with Harristown State High School when he suggested students there build the boat. He then provided cash, material, factory space, supervisions and free mould rental.
“There was a proposal for students to make pencil cases out of fibre composites and I thought, no, let’s do a project that will involve students in all parts of the business,” Mr Watt said.
“A boat is a great project and a way to get kids involved in design, marketing, maths, computer modelling and shaping and cutting out the moulds on our milling machines.
“The skills shortage is one of the most important issues facing our industry so hopefully this project will expand into other schools and show kids that manufacturing is an attractive career option.
“I’ve signed up one school-based apprentice as a result and another female student is thinking hard about joining as well.
“A new group of students have now commenced making a second boat in a continuation of the project, and we hope to sign up more apprentices as both Composite Laminators and possibly other trades,” he said.
Mr Shine said the boat and trailer would be auctioned with a range of goods donated by project sponsors, including fishing rods, safety gear, insurance and an outboard motor at the Brisbane International Boat Show which starts tomorrow. The proceeds will be split between Harristown State High School and Wynnum North State High School and put towards future manufacturing projects.
Media contact: Mr Shine’s office 3239 6400 or 0488 799 273
Buchanan Advanced Composites: Norm Watt, 4633 1856