Tools of the trade

In Far North Queensland, Tec-NQ offers a great option for young, practically oriented people to finish schooling and start a trade.

Story Ken Eastwood  Photo Tec-NQ

Three years ago, Eddie Schneekloth was reluctantly heading into year 10 in his home of Normanton, in Far North Queensland, when a family friend recommended he try boarding at Tec-NQ in Townsville. Tec-NQ is both a secondary school and a registered training organisation focused on ensuring young people can start practical apprenticeships in trades such as fitting and turning, carpentry, mechanics and plumbing, while still achieving their Queensland Certificate of Education.

So, Eddie moved to Townsville’s Tec-NQ campus, where there are facilities for 40 male boarders, and he has loved the practical, physical learning. “I wanted to do automotive mechanics, but I found I really didn’t like it, so I thought I’d give boilermaking a crack and really liked that.”

Now in year 12, Eddie spends up to six weeks at a time on work placements, where he loves the physicality of repairing excavators, dump trucks and large fixed plant. Students in the boarding house get up at 5am and are transported to their work placements, learning the value of effort and the importance of attitude. “It’s hard work, but it’s good,” he says.