Creating meaningful pathways and direct connections between students and employers
We've recently started an Advanced Manufacturing Student Pilot, creating greater industry collaborations and outcomes to strengthen Queensland’s advancing manufacturing talent pipeline.
Program Part 1: Selecting the students
Twenty interested students were selected by teachers from four (Gateway to Industry for Advanced Manufacturing (GISP AM) schools. Students were profiled using the TAFE Harrison Tool, following receiving Expressions of Interest (EOI's) by students to participate in a 20-day Structured Learning Workplace Program (SLWP), after a one day tour into industry. The Harrison tool gives students ideas regarding their career choices to assist with subject selection. These twenty students were vying for one of four rotational positions to complete a 20-day SLWP with these employers also giving them 2 QCE points. This was in the hope it will lead to a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship.
Program Part 2: Introducing students and employers via industry one day STEM tour
We reached out to the GISP AM industry network and asked complimentary manufacturing businesses to participate in an industry tour and pilot. Protonautics, Intellidesign, Minecorp Australia, G&O Kert and Queensland Gaskets were involved, agreeing to open their doors and present to students during a tour into industry for the day.
These businesses have never supported a school-based program so they were challenged to align their business processes to be able to include young people. They collaborated and shared to ensure the students would get a great experience. On their own, these employers offer a limited set of skills. Together, they offered a great variety of skills, all complementary to the advancing manufacturing sector.
100% of students said the day was a great opportunity to learn more about the career options available within the advancing manufacturing sector & learn something new.
The full-day industry tour, saw 19 Year 11 and 12 Engineering, Design and VET students and their teachers from West Moreton Anglican College, St Edmund’s College, Glenala State High School and Staines Memorial College attend.
Our industry partners shared insights into what a career in manufacturing looks like now, and in the future. They also discussed the STEAM connections to their business and discussed their cultural maturity. These examples included evidence of emotional intelligence, resilience, ethics, communication and teamwork. Students were able to digest how important these critical skills are in the workplace.
Following the 1 day industry tour, 13 of the 19 students expressed interest in work placement.
Program Part 3: Student placement to get real experience
The Advanced Manufacturing Student Pilot selected four students (one from each school) to complete a 20-day Structured Workplace Learning Program (SWLP). These four students will have a unique opportunity to rotate between four manufacturing businesses to get a truly great full-skills experience. Students were selected out of the group based on interest on the day, responses to questions, asking questions, engaging with industry and generally being excited about the opportunity.
The following testimonial is from Ignatius Park College in Townsville who has 200 students going into industry to do the SWL program in Townsville:
“The SWL program offered by DESBT’s funded GISP for Advanced Manufacturing provides positive outcomes for our students in terms of SATs and post school employment, with opportunities for further study.
The design of the program puts an evidence based focus on the range of skills employers are looking for in job ready young people. Employers reported to us that they find the guidance, checklist and descriptions of these skills in the SWL program valuable in assisting to identify and endorse skills demonstrated by our students.
The program’s descriptions and evidence for demonstration of skills in the workplace enables our students to understand what is expected of them by the employer.
Students tell us that because they are required to reflect and self evaluate against these skills in the workplace they feel more responsible and engaged in their experience and focused on a pathway.
As another bonus the industry endorsement can also be used by our students for their resumes and LinkedIn.”
- Grant Rossiter, Program Leader, Ignatius Park College, Townsville.
While the Advanced Manufacturing Gateway to Industry Schools Program is the owner of the SWLP, each student placement is managed by the student’s school directly with the employers. This collaborative approach provided a direct line of communication between the teachers and schools and the manufacturing businesses, making it highly effective for all involved.
95% of students reported that the industry tour influenced their subject choices and interest to include STEM.
Program Part 4: Further education and employability
Whilst the pilot program was to find 4 students to participate in the 20-day rotational SLWP and follow their story, the other 9 students who showed interest, were also offered a work experience opportunity.
By the end of the GISP pilot program, students will be expected to display a foundation level of employability skills. They will have completed general safety induction courses that will prepare them to work in a safe and appropriate manner in the workplace. It is expected these four students would go on to a school-based traineeship or apprenticeship. We'll keep you updated.
In addition, students will have built real industry connections and experience. This will put them in a strong position when applying for future studies and job opportunities. The certificate offered by the GISP AM on completion of the SLWP 20 day program, will ensure these students get an opportunity to have a future in manufacturing. It's like earning a golden wonka ticket! Industry value this commitment from the student.
We would like to thank our partners in schools, business and government (Dept of Employment, Small Business & Training) for their collaboration and for making this pilot program possible. Together we are helping to create a pipeline of talent for Queensland's manufacturing industry.
More about Gateway to Industry Schools Program – Advanced Manufacturing
The Queensland Manufacturing Institute (QMI) has hosted the Advanced Manufacturing GISP since 2009.
The GISP is a component of state-wide industry engagement and workforce development strategy to support the long-term development of a highly-skilled workforce in Queensland.
QMI assists to deliver the vision of the Queensland Government committed to growing manufacturing in this state as a critical driver of innovation and productivity in the economy.
Watch this video to learn more about GISP Advanced Manufacturing: