On Wednesday, 26 October 2022 Toowoomba business NRG Services donated a mobile cold room valued at $17,000, proudly built by Toowoomba Grammar School students under close supervision of NRG tradespeople as part of a newly developed school-based training program.
It’s part of a new forward-thinking school-based training program to address a trade skills shortage in the booming refrigeration industry, that also saw two students offered apprenticeships with NRG Services.
NRG collaborated with TAFE Qld to set up a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), delivered to Toowoomba Grammar School students for the first time this year. And as part of the course, NRG with the assistance of various generous suppliers donated materials and expertise to lead students in the construction of the mobile cold-rooms to be donated to both schools.
NRG Services operations manager Grant McMillan said the business, which provides trade services to the construction, health, education, rural, mining and energy sectors, initiated the course when they identified a lack of clear career pathways in the sector.
Grant said part of the problem was a lack of awareness of HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) as a meaningful employment opportunity, although it’s one of the most in-demand and fastest-growing.
“Many students know about diesel fitting, building, plumbing and electrical but no one’s aware of the auxiliary trades and there’s some great and rewarding careers out there,” he said.
“As is the NRG way, when a solution isn’t readily available, we create one. We were placing ad after ad on job sites. We were posting on social media and implementing all of these different recruitment strategies and just never finding qualified people.
“An NRG manager suggested the company work with local high schools and TAFE to boost awareness and showcase the cool work `fridgies’, as refrigeration mechanics are known, do. So, we took it from there.”
The course exceeded expectations, with the company offering two outstanding students’ apprenticeships – one full-time and one school-based – with enrolments already filling for next year’s program.
Toowoomba Grammar School Headmaster Dr John Kinniburgh said linking with local businesses such as NRG reinforced the School’s commitment to forging links with the community and providing diverse pathways for students.
“Last year 95 per cent of our Year 12 students received their first preference university choice, but at the same time, an impressive 45 per cent completed one or more Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications,” he said.
“It underlines that tertiary education and vocational qualifications do not need to be mutually exclusive.”
Dr Kinniburgh said the school would use the cool room for the many and varied charity and sporting events held at the School, along with their major event every year, the Sony Camp that provides respite for many families with young children with special needs.
TAFE Queensland Leading Vocational Electrotechnology teacher Louis Fairbairn says partnerships with employers-of-choice such as NRG Services offered invaluable opportunities.
“Our students are picking up the tools of their trade, solving problems on the go and forging valuable connections with an amazing local employer,’’ Louis said.
Participants complete five weeks of work experience with NRG Services tradespeople, along with TAFE-delivered lessons as part of the 12-month course.
NRG also provided all students with a full tool kit, including a Milwaukee drill. As part of the Cert II course, students also gain a White Card needed to work on Queensland construction sites and credit towards the first stage of an electrical apprenticeship.
NRG Services marks its 10th year in business this year, with new apprentice Lachlan joining a team of about 160 based out of Toowoomba, Brisbane and Roma.
“We’re just looking for young adults with great attitudes and a willingness to learn from this great program and we can teach the rest,” Grant said.
Latest News
TGS Crowned Queensland Futsal Champions
Toowoomba Grammar School’s Open Futsal team has been crowned Queensland Futsal Champions after taking out the grand final in the FQ School Futsal Championships. The FQ School Futsal Championships ran across two stages, with boys and girls in Years 7-12 competing within their own QSS region. The regional winners, runners up and some semi-finalists from each QSS region qualified for the FQ School Futsal Championships State Titles, where they competed against other qualifying schools for the title…
TGS Tennis Teams Ace State Championships
For the 21st consecutive year, the Darling Downs will be represented by a strong contingent of players, all from Toowoomba Grammar School, at the State Tennis Championships next week. The TGS team won the regional finals of the Queensland State Secondary Schools Tennis competition in May. It is the 21st consecutive year that TGS has won the Open division and moved on to the State Championships. This year’s team consists of Tom Dwyer (captain), Archer Black, Henry Maunder and Hugh Mansfield.…
TGS Athletics Coach on Track to Olympics
In an incredible achievement, Toowoomba Grammar School Athletics Coach, Mrs Jackie Gallagher is on track for Olympic coaching glory. Jackie is one of only 25 women worldwide, and the only Australian to be selected for a leadership program in preparation for Olympic and International team management. Jackie was nominated for the 21-month program by Athletics Australia and endorsed by World Athletics and the IOC. It follows her selection for the prestigious Women in Sport High Performance Pathway…
TGS Aquatic Centre Rated One of the Best in the Country
Royal Lifesaving Society Australia (RLSA) conducted a review of the operations of the School’s Aquatic Centre on 13 March 2023. This review, called the Aquatic Facility Safety Assessment, is undertaken to provide pool operators with feedback on their operations against industry standards and covered the following areas: Work Health and Safety Emergency Planning Qualifications and Training Aquatic Programs Supervision First Aid Plant and Chemical Areas Changing Facilities Lap and Lane Pools…
Historic RAP Launched by TGS
In an historic milestone, Toowoomba Grammar School launched its Reconciliation Action Plan today, Wednesday, 31 May as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations. TGS has proudly formulated this Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) over the past eighteen months in close conjunction with Narragunnawali, a nationally recognised organisation that promotes reconciliation in education. Narragunnawali supports schools to develop environments that foster a higher level of knowledge and pride in our…
TGS Swimmers make a Splash Nationally
Toowoomba Grammar School Swimming club claimed swimmers claimed three national titles and a nice haul of medals at the Australian Swimming Age Championships on the Gold Coast earlier this month. Sienna Duerloo cemented her position as one of Australia’s best up and coming long distance swimmers. She is now a National Champion after swimming away with two golds – winning both the 800m and 1500m in the 17 years girls freestyle. Mackenzie Grimes is also a National Champion after collecting gold in…
TGS has the next Spielberg, we mean Rosenberg!
Toowoomba Grammar School Year 12 student, Ben Rosenberg is making a name for himself nationally as an up-and-coming young film maker. Ben won 'Best Director' overall at the 2022 Nextwave Youth Film Awards in Coffs Harbour on Saturday, 22 April for his film 'Green Room'. There were over 160 short films submitted to the competition from around the country and 28 films were chosen as finalists. Ben was named the Best Director overall! Ben has had previous success at this competition in his age…
It's Showtime - Grammar Art Show Time to be Exact
The 30th annual Grammar Art Show from March 24-26, will showcase a dynamic and diverse exhibition of more than 650 contemporary Australian artworks on display, a further 275 online from 220 different artists. The Grammar Art Show has become such a prestigious exhibition that artists from all over Australia nominate their work months before the Show and, unfortunately, many don’t make the final cut. Grammar Art Show is recognised as one of Toowoomba's signature events, attracting over 3,500…
Student Art Show Online
We are excited to launch our 2023 Student Art Show. Thank you to all the guests who came to this wonderful Opening Night on Friday, 17 March to support our young artists. Featuring the work of 125 of our Art students of 2022, this exhibition is in our Art Gallery in the Henderson building into Term 2 for TGS families to enjoy. It is also open to the public during the weekend of the Grammar Art Show, 25 and 26 March. Can't make it to our Gallery? Enjoy the works online - and share with long…
