Manufacturing Your Career with IDEAL: Mackay pilot wraps up with 8 graduates

Employment

Ideal Placements and the Manufacturing Queensland Hub Mackay delivered a 6-week pilot giving eight young men real-world exposure to local manufacturing pathways— from trade assistant roles to apprenticeships.

Over six weeks, participants toured worksites, met local tradespeople, and took part in hands-on learning to test where they felt most ready to start—diving straight into an apprenticeship or building confidence first as a Trade Assistant. Each participant brought something different—quick thinkers, deep thinkers, mechanically minded—but all shared the same commitment to show up, learn and give it a go.

A huge thank you to Teanna Ramsamy from Manufacturing Hub Mackay and the local employers and training partners who opened their doors and shared their knowledge:

  • One Industries

  • Bryan Industries Pty Ltd

  • Resources Centre of Excellence Mackay

  • Forge Engineering

  • Queensland Fire Department Mackay

  • CQUniversity Australia – School of Trade (Mackay)

  • JPR Welding Pty Ltd

  • Voestalpine Railway Systems Australia (Mackay)

  • Local Jobs Mackay

Your support made this pilot a success and helped participants understand what real workplaces expect around safety, quality, teamwork and reliability.

What participants gained

  • Clarity on entry pathways (apprenticeship vs TA)

  • Exposure to multiple manufacturing environments and roles

  • Practical insight into employer expectations and day-to-day tasks

  • Confidence to take the next step into work or training

Hire local talent

Mackay or Sarina employers: if you’re looking for reliable young talent, call (07) 4957 8177. We’d love to connect you.

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