Column piece: People's News Mackay

22 July 2022

Professor Pierre Viljoen

CQUniversity Associate Vice-President (North Queensland and Hinterland)

CQUniversity Chair in Automation and Future Skills

National Skills Week is around the corner (22 – 28 August) which gives all Australians the opportunity to 're-think' their ideas of what Vocational Education and Training (VET) is all about and the role it can have in preparing people for the future of work.

I have seen first-hand the impact that VET students have had in our region and its economy and am proud to lead a campus that paves the way when it comes to job-ready VET graduates in Mackay.

One such student that comes to mind is Ruby Longbottom who is currently undertaking a maintenance traineeship. This includes a Certificate II in Engineering – Production Technology qualification with CQUniversity and BHP's Future Fit Academy.

As a young mother of two children' Ruby is forging a new path in life in the mining industry through this 'fit for purpose' training program at the Ooralea Campus.

While Ruby going from stay-at-home mother to an apprentice was a "big change that required a lot of sacrifices'" she is an advocate for the program saying that "training to be a maintenance associate is amazing' I love the work and I love learning and growing my skills."

"The BHP Future Fit Academy is in all honesty' changing lives for the future'" she says.

"It's helped me be more aware and gain skills that I didn't think I had. They've given me an opportunity that I'm so very thankful for.

"I'm so keen to see where my future takes me within this company and I'm hoping to lean for an apprenticeship in heavy diesel'" she said.

"If you want to study Engineering' I say go for it. It's an amazing opportunity and a great course to learn and it'll challenge you for sure."

I wish the best of luck to Ruby as she progresses through her studies and onto a rewarding career.

I hope to see others looking for a career change consider the VET study options we have at CQUniversity this National Skills Week.

-Pierre