On Wednesday, 26 October 2022 Toowoomba business NRG Services donated a mobile cold room valued at $17,000, proudly built by Toowoomba Grammar School students under close supervision of NRG tradespeople as part of a newly developed school-based training program.
It’s part of a new forward-thinking school-based training program to address a trade skills shortage in the booming refrigeration industry, that also saw two students offered apprenticeships with NRG Services.
NRG collaborated with TAFE Qld to set up a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start), delivered to Toowoomba Grammar School students for the first time this year. And as part of the course, NRG with the assistance of various generous suppliers donated materials and expertise to lead students in the construction of the mobile cold-rooms to be donated to both schools.
NRG Services operations manager Grant McMillan said the business, which provides trade services to the construction, health, education, rural, mining and energy sectors, initiated the course when they identified a lack of clear career pathways in the sector.
Grant said part of the problem was a lack of awareness of HVAC-R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration) as a meaningful employment opportunity, although it’s one of the most in-demand and fastest-growing.
“Many students know about diesel fitting, building, plumbing and electrical but no one’s aware of the auxiliary trades and there’s some great and rewarding careers out there,” he said.
“As is the NRG way, when a solution isn’t readily available, we create one. We were placing ad after ad on job sites. We were posting on social media and implementing all of these different recruitment strategies and just never finding qualified people.
“An NRG manager suggested the company work with local high schools and TAFE to boost awareness and showcase the cool work `fridgies’, as refrigeration mechanics are known, do. So, we took it from there.”
The course exceeded expectations, with the company offering two outstanding students’ apprenticeships – one full-time and one school-based – with enrolments already filling for next year’s program.
Toowoomba Grammar School Headmaster Dr John Kinniburgh said linking with local businesses such as NRG reinforced the School’s commitment to forging links with the community and providing diverse pathways for students.
“Last year 95 per cent of our Year 12 students received their first preference university choice, but at the same time, an impressive 45 per cent completed one or more Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications,” he said.
“It underlines that tertiary education and vocational qualifications do not need to be mutually exclusive.”
Dr Kinniburgh said the school would use the cool room for the many and varied charity and sporting events held at the School, along with their major event every year, the Sony Camp that provides respite for many families with young children with special needs.
TAFE Queensland Leading Vocational Electrotechnology teacher Louis Fairbairn says partnerships with employers-of-choice such as NRG Services offered invaluable opportunities.
“Our students are picking up the tools of their trade, solving problems on the go and forging valuable connections with an amazing local employer,’’ Louis said.
Participants complete five weeks of work experience with NRG Services tradespeople, along with TAFE-delivered lessons as part of the 12-month course.
NRG also provided all students with a full tool kit, including a Milwaukee drill. As part of the Cert II course, students also gain a White Card needed to work on Queensland construction sites and credit towards the first stage of an electrical apprenticeship.
NRG Services marks its 10th year in business this year, with new apprentice Lachlan joining a team of about 160 based out of Toowoomba, Brisbane and Roma.
“We’re just looking for young adults with great attitudes and a willingness to learn from this great program and we can teach the rest,” Grant said.
Latest News
TGS 2024 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) results
Our 2024 QCE graduates have performed very well, and we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to them. Our School also wants to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all the teachers who have supported and guided these students throughout their time at Toowoomba Grammar School. In particular, we would like to express our gratitude to all Year 12 teachers and Heads of Department for their exceptional dedication in guiding this cohort. We are delighted to report that 100% of students…
100th anniversary of the TGS Old Chem Lab
It remains a very important and significant building within our School, even a hundred years on. The year 1924, was a little over five years after the end of the World War I, Australia’s Prime Minister was Stanley Bruce, the Queensland Premier was Ted Theodore and the State’s Governor was on hand for TGS’s prize giving and to officiate the start of works on the new chemistry lab. The School had 174 students and after a highly satisfactory Inspector’s report, it was printed in the ‘Toowoomba…
The Gold Standard of Strength and Conditioning
At 26, this is a massive achievement and catapults him into a community of the gold standard of Strength and Conditioning worldwide. With this ASCA qualification he's accredited to provide expert coaching skills, knowledge and leadership for dissemination and application within high performance sport and elite level performance. He joins a very small cohort of accomplished elite coaches from around the world and we're lucky to have him as the School's Head of Athletic Development. Mr Stone…
Jeremy's Road to Paris 2024
During Jeremy's time at TGS he represented the School in numerous endeavours but was particularly known for his contributions to the Arts, particularly music. On the sports field, Jeremy represented TGS in GPS Athletics, Cross Country, Cricket and Football. Under the guidance of Mr Mark Oliphant during his Cross Country days, all Jeremy wanted to do was run fast and be like everyone else. However, unbeknownst to many during his time at TGS, he was suppressing a life-long condition.
Toowoomba Grammar School recognised as a 2024 5-Star Employer of Choice
This accolade recognises schools excelling in offering competitive salaries, employee benefits, professional development opportunities and nurturing a culture of inclusion and respect. This award underscores Toowoomba Grammar School's dedication to creating an outstanding work environment. Out of over 80 submissions, Toowoomba Grammar School was one of only 27 schools selected for this distinguished recognition. The goal of the Toowoomba Grammar School Strategic Plan's People Pillar is to…
International Nurses Day: Honouring the heart of TGS healthcare
International Nurses Day serves as a reminder of the vital role nurses play in our lives. Whether that is as frontline warriors in a global health emergency or a compassionate caregiver in the local community, nurses in many ways are the essence of humanity in healthcare. Today we take a moment to shine a spotlight on these everyday heroes who selflessly dedicate their lives in the service of others, in particular the dedicated healthcare professionals who day in and day out look after the…
Sundowners with Mort and Co
TGS Old Boy (1979 – 1983) Charlie Mort’s significant contribution to Australian agriculture was explored during an interview with fellow TGS Old Boy (1985 – 1989), agriculture legal specialist and Beef Australia Director, Trent Thorne. TGS Deputy Headmaster, John Anderson, shared the School’s plans for Design, Engineering and Technology and Agriculture and Industry Centres and the School’s plans for an innovative ag program. This event was a wonderful opportunity for past, present and future…
The future looks bright for Old Boy Will Anderson
Each year up to ten TJ Ryan Memorial Medals and Scholarships are awarded by the Queensland Government to support exemplary students in their pursuit of tertiary studies. With a history dating back to 1927, the award recognises the outstanding leadership demonstrated by nominees in their school and the local community along with academic excellence in their senior high school years. Will has been awarded a $10 000 scholarship over five years to support his pursuit of a Bachelor of Medical…
TGS Old Boy Uses UniSQ Physiotherapy Degree for Career Dreams
TGS Old Boy (2018-2023), Jimmy White is going from strength to strength. The 17-year-old is proud to be part of the University of Southern Queensland’s (UniSQ) first Bachelor of Physiotherapy cohort. “The Physiotherapy program is great – it’s new and completely different to anything I did at school,” Mr White said. The Toowoomba Grammar School graduate received a UniSQ Academic Excellence Chancellor’s Scholarship, awarded to students who achieve an ATAR 97 or above. “I decided I wanted to stay…
