Minister Rishworth visits Australian Trade College North Brisbane to see employment pathways in action

The Australian Trade College North Brisbane (ATCNB) welcomed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon Amanda Rishworth MP and the Member for Petrie, Ms Emma Comer MP to its Scarborough campus on Tuesday. The visit provided an opportunity to see firsthand how industry-connected education is helping young people build pathways into employment, apprenticeships and further training.

During the visit, both Ministers toured ATCNB’s plumbing, construction, automotive, electrical and engineering training facilities, observing workshops and speaking with students currently completing Certificate II qualifications as they prepare for school-based apprenticeships and potential careers in the trades.

The visit highlighted ATCNB’s unique education model, which combines senior secondary schooling with hands-on vocational training, industry engagement and personalised support to help students find pathways that align with their goals and strengths.

Minister Rishworth acknowledged how practical learning methods can help young people build job-ready skills and transition with more confidence into meaningful employment. Particularly those students who have had difficulty adjusting to the mainstream education system.

In classrooms and workshops across the campus, students demonstrated how hands-on training provides valuable ‘time on the tools’, helping them develop confidence, technical skills and workplace readiness before commencing school-based apprenticeships or entering the workforce.

ATCNB Principal Sam Symes said giving students the opportunity to discover purpose was at the heart of the College’s approach.

“We see every day what happens when education, training and industry opportunities are aligned around a young person’s goals and aspirations,” Mr Symes said. “When young people can see a clear connection between what they’re learning and where they want to go, they’re more engaged, more confident and better equipped to succeed.”

ATCNB enables Year 11 and 12 students to complete their Queensland Certificate of Education while undertaking vocational training and gaining exposure to industry through work placements, school-based apprenticeships and practical trade experiences.

Year 11 student Tyrone Kuwat said the opportunity to experience practical training is what he finds most valuable.

“I just like getting stuck into it, getting hands-on,” Tyrone said. “I like using my hands, getting on the tools and getting a feel for the work. I think that’s the same for most of the students here.”

The visit reinforced the importance of strong connections between education and industry in creating meaningful employment outcomes for young people and helping address future workforce needs.

The Australian Trade College North Brisbane is an independent Year 11 and 12 trade-focused school based in Scarborough, Queensland. The College combines Queensland Certificate of Education studies with vocational education, trade training and industry engagement opportunities, ensuring students have the chance to build pathways into apprenticeships, further training and employment. ATCNB’s philosophy is built on the belief that students can reach their potential through many different pathways and is focused on delivering “Education with Real Purpose”.

ATCNB Principal Sam Symes is available for interview

Images and video footage from the visit also available

Media contact: Sam Aiton, [email protected], Ph: 0418 885 138