North Queensland industry leaders went back to school recently to join with the next generation in a day of learning. 

Sam Fraser from Ergon Energy, Lance Pendergast from FNQ Growers, Matthew Norman from Biomedical Technical Services and Connor Baird from Rockfield Technology facilitated workshops with the P-Tech engineering and electrical students from Townsville’s Tec-NQ.

The P-Tech industry learning experience stepped the 26 students through a series of workshops, showcasing the types of work available to future graduates.

It’s important to create real-life collaborative learning experiences says Tec-NQ chief executive officer Julie Hyde.

“Inviting industry leaders into our college to work directly with students gives an experience like no other,” Ms Hyde says.

“These students are participating in engineering and electrical career pathways and will walk away from the Industry Showcase with more knowledge about the careers available to them after graduation, more awareness of the innovative work happening right here in Townsville, and have some real connections with industry.

“Who knows? Maybe one of the presenters will be a future employer of some of these students.

“The Industry Showcase involved critical thinking activities, hands-on workshops and open discussion between the students and industry leaders.”

This is the third annual event of it’s kind, hosted by Tec-NQ. Previous graduates of the P-Tech engineering and electrical program have gone onto securing electrical or engineering apprenticeships, or continued with further study in the Bachelor of Engineering at James Cook University (JCU).