Multiple pathways to future success

Tim French was a teacher at  a leading local independent school when he stumbled  across The Industry School  in Maroochydore. Describing it as “the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secret”, he was so impressed with its unique education program that he joined the school and is now their assistant principal.

Tim and industry operations manager Tanou Siebenmann say The Industry  School lives up to its promise of being  “deliberately different”.

Located in Horton Parade, next to Sunshine Plaza, this is the only high school on the Coast where young people spend 50 per cent of their time completing an education component to gain a Queensland Education Certificate (QEC) and the other 50 per cent exploring industries they may like to work in or completing an apprenticeship or traineeship. There are other important differences, too.

“They are not pupils, they are young people,” Tim says. “Respect is shared. They call us by our first names. They shake our hands and look us in the eye. We celebrate them for being who they are.”

Yes, there is a uniform but there are options to choose from – polo shirts, T-shirts or a trade uniform they can wear during work experience. They can also have long hair if they wish and are encouraged to express themselves.

“There is no other school in Queensland that offers an industry program which empowers and enables young people to find their path,” Tanou adds. “How it is delivered is also different. We’re getting young people ready for the real world.”

Tim says graduates of The Industry School are in high demand by employers: “We have a 100 per cent QCE success rate and currently, we have a 93 per cent employment rate.

“Our graduates not only finish with a QCE but a Certificate III in Entrepreneurship and New Business, a Certificate II in Future Skills for Work, a pre-vocational certificate and an apprenticeship or traineeship.

“It’s a heck of a deal.”

So how does it work?

“We’re a high school,” Tim explains.

“If you think of a 10-week school term, they do five weeks in this building and that’s their education component.

“For the other five weeks, they are doing their industry block. This could be unpaid work experience, a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship where they are earning money, or they could be at TAFE completing a Certificate II or another vocational certificate.

“We like them to come in Grade 10 because they don’t need to have a clue about what they want to do and this is the year to decide. It’s a really great time to try lots of different industries.

“They don’t need to be feel pressured to make a career choice.”

Young people can also start in years 11 and 12, when their chosen industry has been narrowed down or they’ve already had relevant work experience. Tanou says plenty of effort goes into preparing young people for work.

“When they commence at the school, they complete our Rookies Program which teaches them everything from safety to creating a resume and what to wear,” he says. “It also includes adventure activities at our camp near Toowoomba. We focus on character and mindset and it’s a real reset and reflection piece for young people.”

He says TAFE Queensland is a major partner with The Industry School to deliver the technical training: “Our team works with TAFE to ensure young people have a pathway in the industry, whether it’s an apprenticeship or a traineeship. TAFE also delivers the pre-vocational certificate in  Year 11 and helps us with our Rookies Program, supporting us with trade tasters.”

The Industry School has six campuses across Southeast Queensland. It opened its Sunshine Coast school to 50 young people in July 2018. Now, the three-storey school offers an innovative education to almost 250 young people.

The local campus offers a number of specialist programs. Within the Construction Academy are carpentry, plumbing, painting and bricklaying, while the Energy Academy (which Tanou says is very popular) offers many electrical pathways such as electrician, refrigeration, renewables and sustainability.

The school has partnered with the Sunshine Coast Turf Club to develop an equine program, which includes horse breeding, track riding, track maintenance, stablehand, veterinary nursing, marketing and event management.

“There are many other choices, too – real estate, aged care, child care, hairdressing, aviation, manufacturing and more. We are simply responding to industry demand,” Tanou says. “If you’re looking at changing and doing something deliberately different, then we’re the school of choice.”

Tim recommends attending Discovery Nights for an opportunity to talk to another person about their experience at the school.

Apprentice Bailey McRae with Jonny Nosa

Bailey nails a satisfying career

The future looks bright for Year 12 Maroochydore High School student Bailey McRae, who has turned his love of woodworking into a promising career as a carpenter.

Bailey started a school-based carpentry apprenticeship towards the end of Year 11 and has already earned enough money to buy a secondhand Toyota Hilux.

“My grandad was a carpenter and I chose carpentry because I really like woodwork at school and find it lots of fun,” Bailey says.

“I talked to one of dad’s mates, who is a carpenter, and he gave me a chance to do some work experience.”

Bailey is completing his apprenticeship with Jonny Nosa, of Sunshine Coast-based Nosa Construction.

Jonny describes Bailey as “a builder’s dream”.

“My neighbour, who is the woodwork teacher at Maroochydore High School, told me Bailey was the top student in his woodwork class and that he wanted to be a carpenter,” Jonny says.

“I met Bailey and gave him a trial and he started an apprenticeship with me.

“He listens and is very good at following instructions. He’s punctual and mature for his age.”

Bailey works one day a week with Jonny, as well as in the school holidays. At school, he is also studying maths, English, aquatics and woodwork and is completing Certificate III in both Fitness and Hospitality.

“I’m enjoying my apprenticeship a lot,” Bailey says.

“It’s very rewarding when you look at something you’ve completed and think, ‘Wow, I built that’. I’m 17 now and should be qualified by the time I’m 20 or 21 because it takes four years. One of my mates at school is also doing carpentry and it would be good to either start a company with him or work together in the future.”

Darryl Rush and former student Lynda Morrison, of OzHarvest

Chance to mix with expert chefs

Many exciting opportunities are available for students who are considering a career in cookery, TAFE teacher Darryl Rush says.

Darryl’s passion for teaching cookery is known  and respected in the industry. He’s been teaching at TAFE Queensland’s Mooloolaba campus for the past  10 years and “absolutely loves teaching and supporting the students”.

“Learning to cook with TAFE provides you with the fundamental skills and knowledge required whilst having fun. Cooking should make you happy,”  Darryl says.

“The students that complete their certificate with us have great training and are ready to join a kitchen within this amazing industry.

“Every day is different and just as the students learn new skills, we can learn from them, too. It’s important to talk about their own cultural recipes and what brings back memories for them growing up.

“We should all be proud of where we came from – that’s our inspiration to cook.”

Several options are available at TAFE for young people to pursue a career in cooking and hospitality.

“We have entry-level qualifications such as Certificate II, with the opportunity for students to continue their pathways through a Certificate III, IV or diploma or with an apprenticeship,” Darryl says.

“In the Certificate II, students learn the basics in food preparation and equipment, develop their cookery skills and grow their understanding of procedures that ensure a safe, hygienic workplace.

“Then, there’s the Certificate III, which is a comprehensive course that covers a range of units from appetisers and salads, vegan and vegetarian cooking, seafood, meat and poultry and desserts to planning and costing your own recipes and showcasing your own menu and dishes within your own live dinner services.”

Darryl says students still at school can receive a head start on their future with a TAFE at School course, which fits seamlessly around high school studies.

The qualification generally replaces a senior schooling subject, and the term dates align with the Queensland school calendar.

“Additionally, our free Find Your Apprentice service can help connect employers with job-ready candidates in the right industry,” Darryl adds.

“So, once the entry level qualification is  complete and students are ready to take the leap  into an apprenticeship, TAFE Queensland is there to support them.”

For eligible participants, the Queensland government supports Queenslanders up to the age  of 25 by providing access to fully subsidised training across a range of priority apprenticeship or  traineeship qualifications.

Darryl says that apart from the incentives  available for young people, a career in cookery is incredibly rewarding.

“There are some great people in the hospitality sector that you can learn so much from who are willing to share techniques, experiences and ideas with one another,” he says. “Absorb as much as you can and be a part of the team, as there are so many opportunities to progress and travel.”

He says many of the graduates have gone on to be very successful: “We have past students who are now running restaurants in the Whitsundays. They’re on cruise ships and doing some great work earning their own reputation within local restaurants and cafes.

“And we have graduates like Lynda Morrison, who is now a chef for OzHarvest – a great food charity organisation that we collaborate with – who is raising awareness through education of food wastage.

“So, there are opportunities to assist in the production of creating some amazing nutritional food in the kitchen at OzHarvest for those in need, too.”