Textbooks traded for tools
Monday, 2 June 2008
A group of 12 Woodridge State High School students will trade their textbooks for tools in a new program bringing schools and businesses together.
The year 11 students will take part in a pilot project called Transport and Logistics Adopt-A-School program, a partnership between the Queensland Transport and industry aimed at creating jobs.
The students will work one day a week at JJ Richards & Sons at Underwood, where they will be coached and mentored by staff.
The work experience will complement their studies for a Certificate in Transport and Distribution at Metro South Institute of TAFE.
The Government-business partnership was formed to address skills and labour shortage, in particular the problem of attracting young people to the industry.
Woodridge State High School teacher-in-charge James Southwood said the program offered students the opportunity to "look through a window into the world of work".
JJ Richards director Phil Richards said an innovative approach was needed to attract and train youth to meet current and future business demands.
"Australia faces a potential shortfall of 195,000 workers in five years time and we didn't want to be caught out without the right people in our business," Mr Richards said.
Opportunities to involve year 10 students in the program were being explored, including site tours, work experience and occupational investigations to build students' interest in the business before they reached year 11, he said.
Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations Minister John Mickel said the program was a good way to foster relationships between high schools and businesses and to encourage students to pursue a career within the vital transport and distribution industry.
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