Maryborough schools and industry unite to advance manufacturing

MEDIA RELEASE

Demand for educated and qualified people with manufacturing and engineering trade skills continues to rise.

To meet local industry needs, QMI, through the Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP), has opened the Maryborough Advancing Manufacturing Gateway Hub.

The Hub creates new opportunities for primary and high school students to complete trade training that aligns with the skills gaps in the sugar, rail, timber and other manufacturing and engineering industries.

Four local schools are collaborating to take advantage of the new Maryborough Trade Training Centre initiative: Maryborough State High, Aldridge State High, St Mary’s College and Riverside Christian College. The partnership gives students and teachers access to teacher professional development and student opportunities associated with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts+Design and Maths (STEAM), Certificate II in Engineering Pathways and/or Manufacturing Technology, retaining their career prospects within the region.

“The strategically aligned framework will ensure all stakeholders have a say in progressing local community and industry opportunities to align with government strategic outcomes,” says John Suthers, Regional Director from the Queensland Department of Employment Small Business and Training (DESBT).

Jules McMurtrie, QMI GISP Program Manager, says, “it’s imperative that all stakeholders are brought together to innovate and collaborate to continue to advance manufacturing in the region.”

“It creates an opportunity to identify and address knowledge gaps, harness opportunities and get insights for workforce planning. QMI acts as an independent industry conduit to facilitate making new possible” Ms McMurtrie said.

The Maryborough Advancing Manufacturing Gateway Hub brings together all levels of government, industry, education and training partners working together to address the talent pipeline into local manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Involvement by the Department of State Development Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDMIP), and the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT) means that training can also be offered to a much broader network should industry require this.

QMI invites all members of the community to attend the next Gateway Hub meeting at Maryborough to contribute ideas and learn more about local opportunities on 12 June 2019. Our thanks to all contributors.

The Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP) is an initiative funded and supported by the Queensland Government. The Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to IndustryProgram is proudly hosted by QMI on behalf of the manufacturing and engineering industries. QMI is a NFP, non-membership based organisation run by industry to make new possible.