Getting young people job ready and creating a skills pipeline for employers were the themes of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to MRAEL’s Australian Trade College North Brisbane, part of the IntoWork Group.
IntoWork CEO Paul Bottern said the purpose built, multi-million dollar College at Scarborough gives Year 11 and Year 12 students the ultimate career launching pad.
“The Prime Minister was so impressed with the College’s ability to integrate the Queensland Certificate of Education, trade training, apprenticeship services all with an entrepreneurial focus to encourage students to start their own business.
“It was a wonderful sight to see our students showcase their skills as the Prime Minister toured the Electro Room, Construction Yard, Automotive Workshop and Commercial Kitchen before he addressed a full school assembly.
During his assembly address, the Prime Minister highlighted the future of the Australian economy depended on skilled apprentices graduating and then making a positive contribution to the economy.
The Prime Minister said for those of you who go down a trade path there is great success ahead of you. There is great opportunity ahead of you. There is great independence ahead of you. You can run your own business. You can be your own boss. You can set your own goals and go out and achieve them.”
College Principal, Brett Kavanagh, said a prime ministerial visit is a special occasion.
“The visit was a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate, to key policy and decision makers, the power an apprenticeship has to set a young person on a prosperous career pathway.
“The College’s strong focus on your careers and education has resulted in 80% of our Year 12 graduates securing full time work within three months of graduation,” Mr Kavanagh said.
Local Federal Member for Petrie, the Hon Luke Howarth, joined the Prime Minister on the College visit.
Mr Howarth is a former graduate, and great supporter, of the College and every year sponsors the Petrie Shield Success in Industry award. It recognises a Year 12 student who has demonstrated excellence in their industry engagement both through work experience and/or apprenticeships and traineeships.
The Australian Trade College North Brisbane is run by MRAEL which is part of the IntoWork Group.