Tec-NQ graduates lead the way with Industry 4.o 'Smart Garden'
Twenty-two local students have fast-tracked their career pathways into emerging local jobs in advanced manufacturing thanks to a ground-breaking P-TECH program run by Tec-NQ.
The Year 12 students turbo-charged their final years of school, combining advanced manufacturing skills with their senior studies and were the first to graduate with nationally recognised trade and technical qualifications.
“One of the P-TECH students has already been accepted into James Cook University’s Bachelor of Engineering program in 2021 and a further 11 students have secured apprenticeships with local engineering and electrical businesses.”
– Tec-NQ Strategic Projects Manager, Jennifer Trybula
“Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery relies on skilled young people like these Tec-NQ students to bring their ideas, talent and work ethic to businesses looking to position Queensland as a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies, products, systems and services,”
– Jennifer Trybula
On 11 November program partners Ergon Energy, Wilmar Sugar, Modern Project Solutions, FNQ Growers, Rockfield Technologies, LiXiA, the Townsville Manufacturing Hub, Tec-NQ and James Cook University came together from around the state to celebrate the achievements of the Year 12 P-TECH graduates and their end-of-year showcase project – the Industry 4.0 Smart Garden.
Year 12 P-TECH Electrical student and school-based apprentice Blair Thus said the Smart Garden project allowed the class to apply aspects of automation, sensors, machine connectivity and control technologies powered by renewable energy to create an automated irrigation system. Microcontrollers were installed to control and calibrate water pumps while monitoring and recording data outputs.
“We’ve learned how to use sensors, CAD, PLC’s and programming to control systems. The Smart Garden maintains its own water levels, monitors the amount of moisture in the soil and operates the pumps when needed.”
– Blair Thus
Rockfield Technologies Mechanical Engineering and Instrumentation Specialist Brent Lane said the students had displayed advanced technical and problem solving skills valued by industry.
“It’s unbelievable to see senior school students take what they’ve learned about technology and actually apply it in such a real world context.”
– Brent Lane
The North Queensland P-TECH Partnership was established in North Queensland through senior school and training provider Tec-NQ. The pathway was initially supported by pilot funding from the Australian Government to establish collaboration between education, industry and community.
Focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways, Tec-NQ worked with its industry partners and James Cook University to establish a senior school pathway for students to complete a pre-apprenticeship qualification while developing foundational skills in engineering, electro technology and industrial technology.
Industry partners have supported the pathway through program design, mentoring students and supporting work experience.
This guest post has been provided by Advanced Manufacturing Gateway School Tec-NQ.
