Toowoomba students a (work) force to be reckoned with

TOOWOOMBA students and their parents gathered last night to get an insight into what the workforce of tomorrow will look like – and how they can be ready to be leaders in that space.

St Mary’s College hosted the free community event called The Future of Work which featured presentations and engagement opportunities with key industry leaders well-placed to identify those opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, particularly on a regional level.

St Mary’s College principal Brendan Stewart said that holding an event such as this instead of a more traditional Open Day was one way of preparing students for the future workforce.

“Expectations of schools have changed in recent years, and increasingly schools must rise to the challenge of painting a hopeful vision for the future of our young people,” Mr Stewart said.

The Future of Work event featured three guest speakers - Ali Davenport, CEO of the Toowoomba Surat Basin Enterprise, Jasmine Riddle, COO of the JRS Manufacturing Group, and Jamie Wann, St Mary’s College Old Boy and Director of Nursing at St Andrew’s Hospital.

“The opportunities for young people in the future workforce in this region are significant, and I think it’s an exciting era for them to be a part of,” Ms Davenport said.

“We live in one of the most diverse economies in Australia, with growth across so many industries including health, education, manufacturing, transport and logistics, agriculture and production, resources, renewables, and professional services.

“This really is a renaissance period for Toowoomba.”

St Mary’s Mission Leader, Year 12 student Robert Hales, was on hand at the event to take what insights he could prior to making career decisions at the end of this year.

He said every little piece of information counted at this stage of his life.

“We are on the cusp of the next Industrial Revolution, and while St Mary’s has a done a great job of preparing me for the future workforce, we are very aware of how much things are going to change over coming years,” Robert said.

“Events such as the Future of Work help to bridge that divide between what we know now and what might happen.

“And sharing this event with students and parents from across the community ties in with St Mary’s ethos of sharing, and always working to benefit others, not just yourself.”