Mackay students to have manufacturing career path

Senior students at five local state high schools will be offered a ‘gateway’ into Mackay’s manufacturing and engineering trades through a State Government program.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said today the Gateway Schools program, to be introduced next year in Mackay, would give interested students a direct pathway from learning to employment in local industry.

“The program will be open to students in Years 8-12 at five selected schools—Mackay North, Mackay, Sarina, Mirani and Pioneer State High Schools,” Mr Welford said.

“Gateway schools are proving successful in other parts of the state because local companies have realised schools will be their future labour supply and are getting behind the project. Not only do participating schools raise an industry’s profile and image, they give students a 'real life' experience and the opportunity to work on practical projects.

"Students can see the relevance and importance of their work because they can see its application in an industry setting so they’re more likely to keep working in industries in need of skilled workers.”

Member for Mackay, Tim Mulherin, said the program was very welcome with the current strong demand for skills in the manufacturing trades in the Mackay region.

“This initiative will ensure students have a clear pathway into a manufacturing career,” he said.

Mr Welford was in Mackay to launch the Queensland Skills Plan 2008, which he said continued the Bligh Government’s determined drive to increase skills of individual workers, as well as addressing changed labour market conditions since 2006.

“Skill shortages among key professions like engineering and nursing are targeted and the plan also introduces measures to engage more unemployed or under-employed Queenslanders,” he said.

“For example, to help meet the need for more engineering associate professionals, we’re funding 450 training places over a four-year period. This program is being developed in close collaboration with the engineering industry.”

Other key measures and strategies included:

• A new program to help young people aged 18-24 secure work, including paid work placements, job preparation assistance and accredited training;
• A pathway into mining sector employment for 240 Indigenous Queenslanders through subsidised pre-vocational training (partnering Queensland Resource Council);
• Expanding the successful Get Set for Work program, which assists young people at risk of falling through gaps, by extending employment assistance to 19-year-olds; and
• Involving industry to a greater degree in the development of vocational training programs; TAFE teachers to spend time with local industry to increase skill levels.

To download a copy of the Queensland Skills Plan 2008, go to www.deta.qld.gov.au/skillsplan

Media contact: Marnie Stitz on 0419 734 985