Growing Support for EQIP Gladstone

EQIP Gladstone covers four Education Queensland and Industry Partnership programs that develop work ready students for employers. Students undertake part of the schooling on site of industry and/or with local employers.

These programs aim to make the transition from school to employment easier and can also result in recruitment and training cost savings for employers.

McCosker Contracting Pty Ltd hosts students from three of the four EQIP Gladstone programs.

Jonathon Rebel is a Year 10 Gladstone SHS student and enrolled in the Doorways to Civil Construction program which is hosted on-site by McCosker. "I attend the program once a week doing form-setting, concreting, jack hammering and the basic use of equipment I would not be able to access at school", Jonathon said. Students in the D2CC program graduate with a Certificate 1 in Resource and Infrastructure Operations, on-site experience and other industry-related qualifications.    

 Greg Thomas and Adam Neill-Ballantine are Year 12 Technical College Gladstone school-based apprentices, who are employed by McCosker as a diesel fitter and a light-vehicle mechanic respectively. "I get to finish Year 12 and interact with my mates and get paid for the work I do here which is also good", Mr Thomas said. Students at the TCG attend school in a unique two-week-on, two-week-off rotation for their final two years at school.

Nik Fruk is a Year 12 Tannum Sands SHS student and enrolled in the BITS Centre program. Nick did work experience one day per week with McCosker in the IT Department. "I was involved with the maintenance of the IT systems here at McCosker, managing some 50 computers on-site," Nick said.

"We are heavely involved in the education and training of youth in Gladstone as ultimately they are potentially our future employees or, of companies we are associated with," McCosker's Rod Marriage said. "It is important for business to invest time, money and resources in training not only for our young people but also to support the community we are part of."   

Students, parents and employers seeking more information, click here.