TAFE QLD teachers recently stepped out of the classroom and into the Monos Gladstone workshop, gaining a firsthand look at how the industry is evolving.
The two-hour visit gave educators a practical opportunity to assess whether current training aligns with today’s workplace needs.
It started with a safety briefing from HSE Coordinator Kellie Davidson, followed by a guided tour of the workshop led by Workshop Coordinator Matthew McKay.
From there, the group got a closer look at the kind of work carried out in the workshop, including pressure piping, equipment repairs, and heat exchanger overhauls, which is critical infrastructure keeping major industrial sites running safely and efficiently.
A key highlight was a session on welding quality, delivered by Eastern Region Quality Coordinator Rod Clarke.
Rod walked the group through how specialised welding techniques are used to protect equipment exposed to extreme heat and highly corrosive materials, like those found in alumina refining.
The workshop’s certification to ISO 3834.2 by Weld Australia also gave teachers confidence that the processes they were seeing reflect high industry standards and best practice.
Beyond the technical teachings, the visit also opened up valuable conversations about career pathways. Teachers explored the wide range of opportunities available after a trade, from quality assurance and supervision through to project coordination.
TAFE QLD Teacher Tasvir Singh said the group of educators were thrilled with the support from the Monos team, and all left with valuable insights.
“Activities like this are incredibly valuable in helping our educators maintain strong industry currency and bring those insights back into the classroom for our apprentices and students,” Tasvir said.