Ipswich in Autumn 2022

A first of its kind collaboration between Ipswich City Council and Ipswich State High School has seen local students gain real world design and construction experience while improving the Ipswich CBD. Woodwork and horticulture students in years 11 and 12 created and planted out up three to four planter boxes for Ipswich Central, with the opportunity to expand the initiative to larger projects in the future. The initiative allowed the city’s youth to play an active role in shaping the city while gaining hands-on work experience. INNOVATIVE PROGRAM UPSKILLING LOCAL STUDENTS

Brayden Baker works on the planter boxes

The project started with a meeting at the school which sparked a conversation about how council could form a partnership that provides outcomes for both the students and the community. The school-based trade training centre at the Ipswich State High School is one of the largest in the state and a real asset to Ipswich. The partnership has enabled horticulture and construction students to gain practical experience utilising their skills in projects that also benefit the residents of Ipswich. Ipswich State High School executive principal Simon Riley said this partnership was another initiative delivering pathways for students to develop real world skills while they are at school.