Advanced Manufacturing GISP – Programs

Virtual reality experiences – bringing manufacturing to life

This program is designed to strengthen industry-to-school engagement, offering students both hands-on and virtual reality (VR) experiences tailored to the manufacturing sector.

The inclusion of VR experiences brings manufacturing careers into the classroom, enabling students to explore roles that may be inaccessible due to location, production disruptions from workplace tours, or safety restrictions. In each VR experience, students can explore a simulated worksite modelled on a real Queensland manufacturing business. They can also engage in virtual conversations with employees to learn more about specific careers and the pathways to enter them.

A key highlight of these VR experiences is the simulated work tasks, allowing students to practice real-world skills in a virtual setting, offering them a tangible sense of what working in the industry entails.

Coordinated tours to industry locations

The school industry tours give students and teachers the chance to visit local manufacturing facilities, guided by industry experts. The initiative aims to increase career awareness and provide insights into the manufacturing sector, showcasing the skills and opportunities available.

Key features include:

• Guided tours: Led by knowledgeable industry representatives who offer an overview of the facility, its operations, and various roles within manufacturing.
• Career exposure: Broadens understanding of potential career pathways, helping participants explore opportunities within the field.
• Real-world insights: Provides firsthand experience of the working environment, dispelling myths and giving accurate information about manufacturing careers.
• Teacher development: Enhances educators’ knowledge of industry trends, enabling them to better prepare students for future careers.
• Networking: Fosters connections between educators and industry professionals for future collaboration.

Careers in Manufacturing Short Course

High-quality, contextualised, and sequenced lesson plans aligned with the Career Education 2025 Short Course syllabus for Year 10 students will support teachers in delivering content in a fresh and engaging way. These plans highlight manufacturing and engineering pathways, along with the wide variety of sub-industries and roles within the sector.

The short course in career education focuses on building the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to make informed decisions about their future studies, careers, and work. It strengthens the link between school and post-school pathways, helping students navigate the evolving world of work and the unique challenges and opportunities it presents. The course equips students to effectively prepare for employment and manage their careers in a rapidly changing landscape.

Pathways to a Trade (Engineering Skills 2024 QCAA resources)

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ), in collaboration with the Australian Industry Group (AiGroup) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), is taking a comprehensive approach to enhance career education, Engineering Skills, and the delivery of Certificate II in Engineering (Pathways) in Queensland schools. The goal is to boost the attraction and retention of young people in trade qualifications within the manufacturing industry. MSQ will partner with a local university, industry experts, and experienced educators to develop innovative programs tailored to meet these objectives.

Work experience

Work experience aims to strengthen ties between industry and schools by enhancing work experience opportunities in the manufacturing industry. The initiative focuses on creating high-quality resources for students, parents, educators, and employers to increase the impact and effectiveness of these placements.

Key features of the program include:

• Resource development: Comprehensive materials to guide best practices for work experience placements:

• For students: Tips on how to prepare, develop skills, and explore career options during their work experience.
• For parents: Resources that explain the benefits of work experience and how to support their children through the process.
• For educators: Tools to help integrate work experience into the curriculum and prepare students for industry engagement.
• For employers: Guidelines on hosting students to ensure a valuable and mutually beneficial experience.

• Industry engagement: Strengthening partnerships between local manufacturing companies and schools to facilitate meaningful work experience placements, identifying employers willing to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Structed workplace learning program 2026

The refreshed Structured Workplace Learning Program (SWLP) offers work experience for students in Years 10-12. The Advanced Manufacturing SWLP serves as a vital tool for connecting young people with the manufacturing industry and exploring various career pathways and opportunities.

Before starting the program, students must complete a formal application process and an interview with their host employer(s), followed by an MSQ General Manufacturing Induction. Throughout their placements, students will maintain a workbook, and their supervisors will conduct pre- and post-placement surveys.