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MPAQ AWARDS
blueprint australian industry trade college
Celebrating MPAQ AWARDS
Left to right: Cody, CJ, Levi and Hayden
School-Based Apprentice of the Year
WINNER
Cody Super Bowl Plumbing
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The Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards recognise the outstanding achievements, hard work, and dedication of Queensland-based individuals and companies.
This year’s winners have broken all expectations through growth, development, community engagement and standards of excellence, making Queensland’s plumbing and gas industry beyond compare.
Presented by Master Plumbers’ Association of Queensland (MPAQ) in partnership with Event Partner Reliance Worldwide Corporation (RWC), a record-breaking 722 attendees were at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) to celebrate the outstanding achievements made by plumbing and gas individuals and companies across 16 award categories.
Congratulations to our finalists!
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School-Based Apprentice of the Year
FINALISTS
CJ Shark Plumbing
Hayden Crystal Waters Plumbing & Drainage
Levi Progress Plumbing Pty Ltd
Congratulations to our winner Cody for the School-based Apprentice of the Year category and to our finalists CJ, Hayden, Levi (all from our Gold Coast campus).
The award recognises individuals who provide exceptional quality of work to their customers and know how to work well with their work team.
During MPAQ’s 2022 Plumbing and Gas Industry Awards one prestigious award which wasn’t promoted previously was the best mullet of the evening. Congratulations goes to Levi who was awarded a signed Cowboys NRL Telstra Premiership jersey and Toyota bag.
It was tough competition but clearly Levi’s golden mane was the favourite. Host for the ceremony, former AFL player Richard Champion, awarded Levi his prizes. Divina, AITC Lead Industry Consultant, says Levi was the only one on the night to make an acceptance speech — he thanked his mum, his boss and of course the AITC!
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
blueprint australian industry trade college
NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE
EQUINE INDUSTRY QUICKSTART
The AITC has partnered with the Gold Coast Turf Club and Racing Queensland to develop a bespoke Equine Industry Quickstart (IQ), initially run out of our Robina campus. The tailored program is designed to educate young people to become apprentices and trainees of the highest calibre, specifically for the equine industry.
The racing industry provides a breadth of career opportunities and opportunities in this industry can take a young person as far as overseas or close to home in some pretty amazing roles.
Nathan Reynolds, Start Up Agent (Education) for the AITC says, “the industry needs a pipeline of educated young people who are ready to engage in technical training. The main aim is to address a skills shortage but, most importantly, provide an opportunity for young people who love horses to begin their career.”
This passion for the industry means “young people who possess the right character values will enrich the industry standard,” explains Nathan.
Young people who are interested in gaining a head start in the racing industry don’t have to choose between finishing school and starting their career. Currently the AITC is enrolling Year 10 and 11 students so they can complete their Year 12 QCE and also gain skills, credentials and networking to be ready for this exciting industry.
Whether interests lie with horses, working outdoors, pursuing a trade or administration; with an industrydriven education, the right training and unmatched immersion, the Equine IQ program will deliver that crucial head start.
Nathan says young people who are already part of the program “are engaged and keen to learn.” He explains the standard of every young person coming into the program is high. “They are participating in experiences they never thought they would do. The social interactions they have with adults across various worksites is incredibly powerful and valuable.”
The expectation is “young people will complete their Cert II in the racing industry and participate in a managed work experience rotation across all aspects of the industry.”
The Equine Industry QuickStart is a 12-month program integrated into the
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
blueprint australian industry trade college
established 36-month AITC program. Key incentives for young people are achieving their Cert II in Racing at Aquis Farm and the Gold Coast Turf Club, be part of a managed work experience program, networking with leading industries and have direct access to leading trainers and event managers.
Equine IQ participants will immerse themselves in the many facets of the equine racing industry through site visits, incursions, excursions and work experience. The industry-driven program will connect young people with employers and race clubs for managed work experience, placements and ultimately a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in their chosen field, all whilst completing high school.
The nature of thoroughbred horse racing makes it one of the most diverse and exciting industries to be involved, offering a range of exciting career opportunities in the fields of global sports, entertainment and trades. The Queensland Racing Industry employs over 11,500* people (*full time or equivalent) across more than 100 venues statewide.
ADVANTAGES OF THE EQUINE INDUSTRY QUICKSTART:
PFinish Year 12 and gain the Queensland
Certificate of Education (QCE) P Complete a Certificate II in Racing P Rotate through various industry roles at Aquis
Farm and the Gold Coast Turf Club P Commence a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship in the equine industry before graduating P WISDOM Grow in character and mindset to be a valuable contributor to the industry and to the community
SOME OF THE ROLES IN THE INDUSTRY INCLUDE:
• Stable hand, stud hand • Track rider, track maintenance • Admin, marketing, event management • Veterinary • Stewarding
sign-ups Equine
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
JENNA TETLEY 31 October 2022, Racing (Stablehand)
It was clear from the start of her AITC journey that Jenna is an exceptional young woman who has an awesome attitude to everything life throws at her. Jenna has greeted every work experience placement with a happy, can-do work ethic —a demeanour that was noticed by every employer. Unsure of her career choice at first, Jenna knew she wanted to work with animals, and tried vet clinics, pet shops, pet resorts and even a flora fauna spotter catcher! When Jenna began working with horses through our new Equine Industry Quickstart (IQ) program something clicked. With her stablehand apprenticeship Jenna will be working with thoroughbred racehorses at Campton Racing. Trainer, Adam Campton, was thoroughly impressed by Jenna’s hard work, attention to detail, and positivity — which can be hard to muster with a start time of 3.30am. Jenna is the first, but definitely not the last, school-based apprenticeship sign-up of the AITC Equine IQ program. Congratulations to all involved, especially the Gold Coast Turf Club, who played a massive part in making this program possible and they are huge supporters of young people finishing their Year 12 secondary education at the AITC.
ELLA BATTEN 31 October 2022, Trackwork Rider
Congratulations to Ella who is now Adam Campton Racing’s newest trainee Trackwork Rider. A track-rider is a person who is employed to exercise thoroughbred horses on the instruction of a trainer. The duties require judgement and the ability to communicate the information concerning horse health, performance and temperament accurately to the trainer as well as high level riding skills and ability to interpret and relay information covering a variety of circumstances. This expert advice is critical as it is relied upon in the future training and racing program of the horse. Ella joined our Equine Industry Quickstart (IQ) program at the Robina campus in July this year, with a clear view of the pathway she wanted to take. During her first work experience block, Ella was introduced to Adam Campton, whom she wowed with her excellent equine skills, focus, determination and work ethic. He knew he couldn’t pass her up and offered her a spot on the team. What an exciting industry to be a part of and thank you to our partners at the Gold Coast Turf Club for championing the Equine IQ program and enabling our young people to work with amazing horse trainers like Adam. Best of luck in your career, Ella, and onto Year 12 to get your QCE whilst getting a head start into the racing industry before graduation. The future is bright!
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INSIDE THE
AITC X PROTECH ACADEMY
DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT. DELIBERATELY DIFFERENT.
COMMENCING IN JANUARY OF 2021, PROTECH’S ROOKIES PROGRAM WAS RUN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AITC TO PROVIDE SCHOOL-BASED APPRENTICESHIP AND TRAINEESHIP OPPORTUNITIES INITIALLY TO TEN PARTICIPANTS.
The civil construction sector is the backbone of Protech’s growth story. National recruitment and training organisation Protech Group first started working with the Australian Industry Trade College 2 years ago, placing almost 10 schoolbased civil construction trainees on a major infrastructure project in the Brisbane CBD – the first of its kind. The young people successfully went on to secure jobs with some of Protech’s big industry clients, making their mark on Brisbane infrastructure at just 18 years of age.
The program was designed to give recruits a chance to experience what life would be like in the civil construction industry, as well as providing the basic skills necessary to thrive in a technical environment. Made even more beneficial to the group of young recruits was the practical on-site training being offered through Protech’s partners CPB Contractors, on one of the largest civil construction projects in Queensland. From the initial Protech Rookies Program the AITC x Protech Academy was formed and began in July 2022. This is Brisbane’s first industry-driven program for school students wishing to pursue a career with big industry on major projects. Based in Brisbane (at AITC’s Spring Hill campus), the program is for high achievers in hi-vis who have the ambition to work on large-scale construction sites with multimillion-dollar projects. Put simply, the program is a combination of deliberately different education, industrydriven training, and technical expertise to develop apprentices and trainees of the highest calibre, starting in Year 10.
Brad Pinch, AITC’s Start Up Agent (Industry) says, “The AITC X Protech Academy was built to serve industry requirements and meet our promise to connect young people with opportunities in industry and industry with great young people.”
Feedback about the AITC X Protech Academy has been extremely positive from young people and their families. Brad explains, “due to the staged development of young people within the program, the group is developing quickly. Parents have noticed a commitment from their young person in line with the requirements of the Academy. Young people are immersed in the Protech culture and expectations from day one. Their journey begins when they receive their Protech shirt and from there they become involved in meetings and talks with Protech Managers from around Australia.”
Key management from Protech including Adrian Baker, Protech’s General Manager, come to the AITC and talk about a young person’s potential career journey and the high standards of Protech. “We provide a deliberate and careful exposure to safety standards and best practice for major projects – safety is our first thought.” Brad continues, “they’ve had presentations from Protech’s Work Health and Safety Manager, Kristian Attreed, who gave clear insight into Protech working environments.”
blueprint australian industry trade college
To reach their full potential education plays a vital role in developing AITC X Protech Academy graduates. Managing Director of Protech, Marc Mieli, was at a recent event and spoke to the importance of an education for a long and successful industry career. Marc said, “Education is fundamental… ultimately that’s been part of my success. Finishing Year 12 is a must. It really plays the foundation and the cornerstone for those young people… If they finish Year 12 with the experience that they have, then the world opens up to them. Education is the most important thing… it’s where their life is guided and from there anything is possible.”
To understand the range of industry possibilities young people attend multiple site visits — with general industry and Protech clients. “Young people have seen key presentations from high level Cross River Rail staff and participated in engaging Cross River Rail site visits,” explains Brad. “A young person explained to Adrian Baker recently, ‘I didn’t think it would be like this. I am learning about industry at the AITC. I thought I would be reading about it — not being a part of it.’.”
Starting in Year 10, students hone their skills through an intensive work-readiness program – with technical training, work experience, and shadowing – before commencing a school-based traineeship in Year 11. Young people spend six weeks per term in school (at our Spring Hill campus) and six weeks in industry.
By Year 12, they will have commenced their career in construction, civil engineering, auto (heavy diesel), mechanical, or ICT, with the opportunity to complete up to 45% of their apprenticeship or traineeship by Year 12 graduation.
