Personalise my view
Equipping students with essential skills for regional Australia
They may be hundreds of kilometres from the regional properties they call home, but at TAFE Queensland’s Ashmore campus, a group of boarding school students are developing practical skills to take back to their families and the land they work on.
Students from The Southport School (TSS) are halfway through an Introduction to Welding (NONAC03024), a bespoke course now in its fourth year run by TAFE Queensland, to equip students with foundational welding skills commonly used in agricultural and farming environments.
“We’re proud to be working with The Southport School to develop a course that equips students studying here on the Gold Coast with practical skills that directly meet the needs of the rural communities they come from,” said TAFE Queensland’s General Manager of the Gold Coast region, Robert Petherbridge.
“Over the eight weeks, students develop a strong foundation in practical trade skills, from workplace safety and workshop procedures through to hands-on experience in stick, MIG and TIG welding, which they can take straight home and put into practice.”
Year 11 student, Walter Webster lives on a 14,000-acre cattle property an hour west of Goondiwindi.
He enrolled in the course to be able to help his family.
“My parents and I both thought it would be a great idea to help out on the farm. A couple of our workers are always busy, and it'd be really handy for me to have the experience to go and do some more jobs,” said Water.
“Just last holidays we were welding together some gates just because some of the fences were getting quite old.”
“A fair bit of welding for me these holidays!”
Year 12 student, Will Box also hails from a large cattle property, with 2000 head of steer.
“We're pretty busy on the holidays. It's always good to go back and get some work done - help out Dad,” said Will.
When he finishes school, Will’s hoping to take his new welding skills into employment.
“I’m hoping to go up north, just work on a cattle station. These skills will definitely help me get up there, definitely looks good on the resume,” he said.
Twelve students are taking part in the evening course, with all of them hailing from regional Australia.
“Supporting regional and remote communities is part of TAFE Queensland’s DNA. Programs like this give students the opportunity to learn valuable practical skills here on the Gold Coast and take that knowledge back to their local communities and properties,” said Mr Petherbridge.
TAFE Queensland partners with 60 schools across the Gold Coast, with approximately 1,800 students undertaking courses and gaining practical skills in areas ranging from hospitality and beauty to maritime studies.