The AWIC North Queensland Roadshow kicked off with a bang in Mackay on Monday 16th October. From site visits to factory tours, we pulled out all the stops to give our next generation a taste of the construction industry. The attention to detail involved in tinting paint at the Dulux Inspirations Store was awe-inspiring, and we were fascinated by the science behind making concrete blocks at Austral Bricks. Even a behind-the-scenes look at Bunnings left us in awe of the possibilities that lie within the construction industry.

That night, we hosted a networking event, and were honoured to have Jo, the Founder of KickAss Women, and Fiona, the Co-Founder and Director of STEM Punks, share their insights on why the construction industry is a perfect fit for our next generation of awesome women.

Day 2, Tuesday 17th October, took us on a 2.5-hour drive west of Mackay to Moranbah. Joined by Jo from KickAss Women and Angela from Empowering People in Construction (EPIC), we spoke to 98 year 6 students at Moranbah State Primary School and engaged with the 39 students participating in the Wellbeing and Resilience Shed program. We then visited the Moranbah State High School, having meaningful conversations with senior students and showcasing the endless career opportunities that await them in the construction industry.

Arriving in Townsville after driving up from Mackay, we were welcomed with beautiful weather and many opportunities. First up, we had students and educators from TecNQ and St Anthony’s Catholic College join us for two days of factory tours, showcasing the out of the box opportunities to engage and ‘show off’ the construction industry to our next generation. Day 1 we visited TAFE Qld, Lysaght, Bunnings, and Wattyl Paints. We were amazed by the state-of-the-art facilities and innovative practices that these companies have implemented.

On the 2nd day, we embarked on a journey to Ayr and took a tour through the Austral Bricks factory. The craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each brick was truly remarkable!

During the Townsville stop, AWIC Founder and CEO Amanda Bulow also had the opportunity to speak at the TAFE Trade Excellence Awards in Townsville. It was a wonderful night where the future leaders were recognised for their hard work and dedication to their craft.

To wrap up the AWIC North Queensland roadshow, we made our electrifying presence in the vibrant city of Cairns on the 23rd and 24th of October. Industry leaders, hungry for knowledge and innovation, immersed themselves in eye-opening tours provided by TAFE Qld, Austral Bricks, Dulux, and Lysaght. These exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences offered a glimpse into the inner workings of the ever-evolving construction industry. And while the roadshow was in town, the opportunity was seized to visit the magnificent Dixon Homes Cairns selection centre.

Monday night in Cairns saw the grand finale of networking events! Guest speaker, the awe-inspiring Jennah Halley, took the stage and left everyone spellbound. Jennah, a force to be reckoned with, was crowned the Queensland Apprentice of the Year and Australian Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Australian Training Awards in 2022. Her remarkable story of resilience and determination struck a chord with the audience.