CVIAQ recently completed a series of Schools to Industry Tours in which it partnered with a total of eight companies from its membership, six Local Community Partnership (LCP) groups covering six school districts to host over 250 students from 23 secondary schools in an initiative designed to showcase all the career options available in the Commercial Vehicle Industry.

The tours, held on the 6th August, 26th August, 1st September and the 8th September proved very successful in terms of student numbers and genuine student interest. The host companies were a combination of truck dealerships and automotive manufacturers and provided the right mix in showcasing the majority of career options that the commercial vehicle industry has to offer.

The tours involved the host companies opening their doors to the students with company staff conducting organised tours of their premises. Students and teachers were able to see activities involving many of the trades in the manufacturing and service & repair sectors as well as sales, spare parts and administrative operations.

Many well deserved thanks to the host companies: Black Truck Sales, Rocklea, The Brown & Hurley Group, Yatala, Westco Truck Sales, Toowoomba, Brisbane Isuzu, Burpengary, Lusty EMS, Richlands, Holmwood Highgate, Loganholme, Rhino Trailers, Toowoomba and Varley Specialised Vehicles, Virginia for designating staff to conduct the tours and providing students with an insight to all the career options and career pathways available within their businesses.

CVIAQ wish to also thank the LCPs: South West Career Connect, Logan Schools to Work Inc., Beenleigh Region Industry Training Network (BRITN), Downs Industry Schools Co-operative Inc. (DISCO), TranZitions at Work and Caboolture Area Schools Industry Links Scheme (CASILS) for their critical assistance in making the initial contact with the schools, generating the student interest and co-ordinating the official paperwork for all the students in attendance.

The 2009 CVIAQ Schools to Industry Tours continue the tradition established by tours from previous years in providing a vehicle for students to make informative choices about apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience within the commercial vehicle industry as they prepare to leave school and enter the workforce.

Details of each tour are:

6th August  Brisbane South West Tour
Host Companies  Black Truck Sales, Rocklea & Lusty EMS, Richlands
LCP   South West Career Connect
Schools Nyanda SHS, Stretton College, Forest Lake SHS, Corinda SHS and Centenary SHS

26th August  Logan / Beenleigh Tour
Host Companies  Brown & Hurley Group, Yatala & Holmwood Highgate, Loganholme
LCPs   Logan Schools to Work Inc. & Beenleigh Region Industry Training Network (BRITN)
Schools Marsden SHS, Loganlea SHS, Park Ridge SHS, Mabel Park SHS, The Centre Education Program, Kingston, Windaroo Valley SHS, Trinity College and Beenleigh SHS

1st September  Toowoomba Tour
Host Companies  Westco Truck Sales & Rhino Trailers
LCP   Downs Industry Schools Co-operative Inc. (DISCO)
Schools Oakey SHS, Concordia College, St Xavier’s College, Christian Outreach College and St Joseph’s College

8th September  Brisbane North / Caboolture Tour
Host Companies  Brisbane Isuzu, Burpengary & Varley Specialised Vehicles, Virginia
LCPs   TranZitions at Work & Caboolture Area Schools Industry Links (CASILS)
Schools Tullawong SHS, Narangba Valley SHS, Caboolture Area Youth Service (CAYS), Bray Park SHS and Southern Cross College, Scarborough Commonwealth