Centenary Heights High School celebrated the graduation of its school-based apprentices and trainees this week and Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Peter Taylor was on hand to wish them well for the future.

At the ceremony, Cr Taylor was excited by the Australian school-based apprenticeships which are a mix of academic, vocational and technical education that provide the foundation to a rewarding career as well as the opportunity to further progress their qualifications after leaving school.

Students were able to start an apprenticeship or gain a formal qualification while still at school, develop communication and business skills and progress towards gaining a nationally recognised qualification.

Cr Taylor acknowledged the program as an essential addition to traditional schooling and an important stepping-stone towards securing employment.

“Here is a wonderful example of young people identifying and utilising their skills to pursue a career path that will not only assist them, but will also assist our region, and beyond, thanks to an increase in the number of qualified tradespeople or business skilled people in the workforce.”

Cr Taylor also singled out Head of Senior Schooling Tim Ryan and his fellow teachers for praise, saying it was obvious to see Mr Ryan was very passionate about the apprenticeship program and that enthusiasm was reflected in his students.

“It’s testament to their commitment,” Cr Taylor said. “It shows how the hands-on skills they develop and the industry experience they receive hold them in good stead when acquiring a job.”

“These school-based apprenticeships present a strong opportunity for employment and one of the heartening features of the program is many of the students already have jobs to go to as they finish Year 12.

“This area has the lowest unemployment rate in the nation and therefore, as our economy grows, we really need these young people with the skills they have gained. I congratulate them and I am very pleased with the role Centenary Heights is playing in our community’s future," Cr Taylor said.