Tec-NQ
Year 11 & 12 Senior Studies
Tec-NQ is different. It’s an alternative to traditional school delivering the same outcomes in a work-based training environment. If you want to learn the skills in demand by industry and complete your secondary education, Tec-NQ is the place for you.
Students learn what it means to be work ready and demonstrate skills in demand by industry. The education program is defined by industry and supported by registered teachers and qualified trades people who have worked within it.
Students who successfully complete their Year 11 and 12 senior studies will attain the following outcomes.
• Queensland Certificate of Education
• Pre-Apprenticeship Qualification or Apprenticeship Progression (if employed)
• Construction Industry White Card (where applicable)
• Core Skills For Work Qualifications
• First Aid Certificate
Tec-NQ’s academic subjects have been selected based on their relevance towards the career specific pathways offered by Tec-NQ. Subjects are contextualised towards each of the career pathways and personal growth. Contextualisation ensures that students understand the application of subject matter within their industry and adult life.
Tec-NQ is an approved provider of the QSMART (Maths/Science) program designed by the Queensland Minerals and Energy Academy and also delivers English Communications a contextualized Trade Literacy program.
The College offers a range of trade pathways. Students can choose from health, automotive, electrotechnology, engineering and construction pathways, each contributing towards the QCE.
Year 10 & Try Every Trade
In addition to normal academic subjects, Year 10 at Tec-NQ gives students the opportunity to “try every trade”. Students participate in practical skill building trade immersions that relate to pre-apprenticeship pathways offered in Year 11 and 12. These trade immersions are designed to provide valuable life skills to students while preparing them to make informed decisions about the trade or vocational pathway that is right for them.
Skill building subjects are delivered by trade qualified facilitators with experience within industry, these include Electrotechnology, Automotive, Carpentry, Plumbing, Engineering Pathways, Health and Hospitality.
Mick, aged 15, left a traditional college to enrol at Tec-NQ. ”Originally I wanted to do electrical but since completing try-every-trade, I’ve changed my mind to automotive. If you want a career in trade, come to Tec-NQ. Don’t wait until it’s too late. When I was at school, I was bored and disengaged but after coming to Tec-NQ, I enjoy coming to school again.”
Mick’s father, is really happy too, noticing a great turnaround in his son’s attitude. “Over the course of his time in Tec-NQ's year 10 program Mick has matured a lot and is more grounded. It’s a good opportunity for young people to start their career in trade early and move out of the school environment which can be quite negative, especially if you aren’t interested in being an academic star."
Academically speaking, Year 10 is a transitional year where students identify their career aspirations to determine the senior studies options that align with their goals.
At Tec-NQ, core subjects align to Australian Curriculum standards with contextualisation to industrial applications, workplace practices and life skills. Core subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, History, Health and Physical Education. Students also complete Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority (QCAA) Accredited Short Courses including Career Education, Literacy, Numeracy and Work Experience.
Work Experience / Vocational Placement Program
Work placement is an important part of Tec-NQ’s approach to training and career development. Being involved in work experience activities gives students new opportunities to build on their existing job skills, learn new skills, network with employers and improve their chances of finding a job.
Students who meet the standards outlined in Tec-NQ’s Earn the Right to Work framework benefit from work placement support.
Tec-NQ’s team of industry liaison officers work closely with industry networks to support work placements and apprenticeships for students.
Work placement is integrated into the senior school timetable as part of senior studies. Work placement blocks increase in duration as students progress, encouraging a progressive transition from school to work.
68% of 2023 senior school graduates were employed in apprenticeships.
Trade and Facility Overview
The Senior School operates from Tec-NQ’s Douglas campus in Townsville. This facility features dedicated workshops for each of the trades.
• Metal Fabrication
• Automotive
• Mobile Plant
• Carpentry
• Electrotechnology
• Plumbing
The Bowen Road Campus also features facilities specifically designed for delivery of
• Health
• Hospitality
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Tec-NQ delivers training to an industry standard. Each workshop is professionally equipped with dedicated tooling and resources.
Practical training is delivered in Tec-NQ’s state-of-the-art workshops. Real projects with tangible outcomes are used within the curriculum whenever possible. Many projects begin in the academic classroom, such as calculating measurements or creating sales brochures relating to the project and are regularly concluded in the workshop with practical outcomes.
Tec-NQ trade facilitators are trade-qualified (Certificate III level), have worked as qualified tradespeople in industry and hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. They play a key role in mentoring and coaching students.
Accredited Senior School Boarding
Tec-NQ House, located in Rosslea, Townsville, is a purpose-built boarding facility for senior school students originating from locations across regional and remote Queensland, attending Tec-NQ’s unique trade focused senior school program.
The newly built boarding facility accommodates up to 40 students and staff. Officially opened in March 2022, it now offers Tec-NQ students a complete boarding.
As a member of the Australian Boarding Schools Association and recognised as one of the best boarding facilities in the state, it is already receiving rave reviews from industry, and the community.
Tec-NQ House is designed to be inclusive and social, while maintaining a homely, nurturing atmosphere. Its features include:
• 24/7 supervised care
• Comfortable, safe, and secure environment
• Dedicated staff who provide wellbeing support and independence skills
• State of the art security system
• Air-conditioned, double occupancy rooms designed with semi-private space for those personal touches
• Modern open living spaces and communal areas
• Streaming services, computers, gaming, and PlayStation areas
• Nutritious and tasty meals planned and prepared by executive chefs
• Secure outdoor recreation area with BBQ facilities and basketball court
• Additional rooms available for short visits by students’ families
• Weekend and after-hours excursions and activities for students to socialise, play sport and relax
• Daily transport to and from the senior school training facility and Townsville-based work experience.
Also located at Tec-NQ House are the new health and hospitality training rooms. The built-in cafe and commercial kitchen are used for both the hospitality training as well as the boarding kitchen.
If you’re interested in learning more about boarding at Tec-NQ House, contact the enrolments team at Tec-NQ on phone (07) 4779 2199 or email enrolments@tecnq.com.au.
Success Story
Jack enrolled into Tec-NQ’s Plumbing program and discovered a new enjoyment for school. On only his second work placement Jack was snapped up by his employer. Jack is absolutely thrilled with the outcome “I came to Tec-NQ because it offered me something I couldn’t get at my school – a trade focused course for Plumbing. It’s really different at Tec-NQ, the staff treat you like an adult in the classroom and out in the workshop and my grades have gone through the roof because I’m being taught things I’m interested in.”
He also wants to dispel some misconceptions that some people have about plumbing, “Friends from my previous school think it’s just toilets and pipes, but there is SO much more to it. There’s civil construction, commercial, gas as well as domestic and water management.
Jack also has some words of advice for those looking to secure an apprenticeship for themselves, “Have a good work ethic and pride in your work.”
His new employer agrees, “Jack shows an enthusiasm for the job and the work that we ask him to do. He is always on time, well presented and has pride in the work that he does. Jack has fit in well with the team and communicates effectively with our tradesman, his manners ensured he stood out.”
His employer is a long-term supporter of Tec-NQ’s work experience program and recommends it for anyone looking to put on a school-based apprentice, “Tec-NQ’s work experience program lets us try a number of different students on the job for a meaningful amount of time. It lets us find out who fits in best with our business and whether or not they are able to do it on a consistent basis."