Technologies News

Year 10 Construction Students Explore Industry Pathways at Logan Reserve

Our Year 10 Construction students recently participated in a highly engaging Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) Try a Trade Excursion to the Logan Reserve construction site of 2 new schools, providing them with a valuable firsthand look at the building and construction industry in action.

The students visited a major 22-hectare residential development being delivered by Hutchinson Builders (Hutchies), a significant $360 million project that employs an average of 400 workers on site each day. The scale of the development provided students with an excellent opportunity to observe the many trades and professions required to successfully deliver a large construction project.

Throughout the day, students were divided into small groups and participated in four key activities: a comprehensive site tour, painting, tiling, and a carpentry task that included the supervised use of a small nail gun. The presenters and trade professionals involved were outstanding, providing students with practical insights into their trades, pathways into the industry, and the potential career opportunities and earnings available to qualified tradespeople.

During the site tour, students observed a wide range of construction and civil works activities and gained an appreciation of the various career opportunities available across the industry. Discussions focused on apprenticeship pathways, workplace expectations, and the skills and attitudes necessary for long-term success.

A particular highlight of the day came during lunch when students heard from a young site manager in his early twenties who shared his personal career journey. He spoke candidly about commencing a carpentry apprenticeship and initially questioning whether it was the right career choice. However, through perseverance and commitment, he grew to enjoy the trade and, by his third year, developed a genuine passion for the industry. He has since progressed into site management, overseeing teams of experienced tradespeople and taking on significant leadership responsibilities at a young age. His message was clear: success in the construction industry comes through commitment, hard work, reliability, and a willingness to learn. He also emphasised that early starts, dedication, and a strong work ethic are essential, while poor attitudes and a lack of effort are rarely tolerated in the industry.

As expected on a live construction site, safety was paramount throughout the excursion. Students completed all required inductions and safety processes and demonstrated an excellent understanding of workplace expectations. The correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and adherence to safety procedures were consistently maintained throughout the day.

The College is proud to report that our students represented themselves and the College exceptionally well. Their behaviour, maturity, enthusiasm, and professionalism were regularly praised by staff and industry representatives alike.

We thank Ryiah Taylor (Senior Construction Pathways Coordinator) from Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), Hutchies, and all industry partners involved for providing such a valuable learning opportunity. Experiences like these continue to inspire our students and help them make informed decisions about future training, apprenticeships, and careers within the construction industry.

DP World Port of Brisbane Excursion Inspires Future Construction Professionals

On Tuesday 20 October, a select group of Year 11 Construction students were fortunate to participate in an exclusive industry excursion to DP World at the Port of Brisbane, providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Queensland's most significant civil engineering and logistics projects.

The day began with what initially appeared to be an extensive sign-in process, with IDs checked and cross-checked against official records before entry was granted. Students soon learned that these strict security measures were necessary due to recent incidents involving intruders, theft and smuggling activities within the port precinct.

The primary focus of the visit was DP World's major expansion project, which aims to increase the port's cargo handling capacity by an additional 25%. Students were fascinated to learn that it typically takes between two and three days of continuous operation, 24 hours a day and seven days a week, to fully unload and reload a container vessel before it departs, often bound for destinations throughout Asia.

Throughout the day, students gained valuable insight into the world of heavy civil engineering and the problem-solving skills required of engineers working on large-scale infrastructure projects. The Port of Brisbane presents unique challenges, having undergone numerous redevelopments over the past 150 years. As a result, engineers must contend with a complex network of underground services, previous structures and unforeseen hazards before any new construction can begin.

One of the key takeaways for students was the enormous amount of work that occurs below ground level before visible construction can commence. Engineers explained the importance of underground conduit networks, drainage systems, bulk concrete footings and material compaction processes that provide the foundation for the infrastructure people see above ground, including rail systems, container tracks, gantry cranes and computer-controlled loading equipment.

The engineering team did an outstanding job of presenting highly technical concepts in a clear and engaging manner, helping students appreciate both the scale and complexity of modern civil construction projects.

A standout highlight of the excursion was the opportunity for students to experience and operate the port's cutting-edge Virtual Reality Crane Training Simulator. This multi-million-dollar training system is used to develop operator skills in a safe and controlled environment before personnel progress to operating the real container-loading cranes. Students thoroughly enjoyed the immersive experience and gained a greater understanding of the technology driving modern industry.

The behaviour and engagement of our Year 11 students throughout the day were exemplary. Their enthusiasm, professionalism and willingness to ask insightful questions reflected extremely positively on Marist College Ashgrove and were commented upon favourably by our hosts.

I would like to thank Mr Andrew Martin for taking the students and also DP World Brisbane and their engineering team for providing such a unique and valuable learning experience that highlighted the exciting career opportunities available within the construction, engineering and logistics industries.