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VPG - Vocational Partnerships Group

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Cairns, QLD
VPG - Vocational Partnerships Group

We inspire and connect young people with education, employment and training to ensure active community and economic participation.

We empower youth, strengthen families, and broker partnerships between education & industry. We are a non-profit organisation based in Far North Queensland committed to achieving real and sustainable outcomes for our local community members. Become part of a service for young people who are striving to find work. Creating opportunities for youth aged 15-24 to build on their skills and talents, and engage in the world of work.

16/10/2026

Newman Catholic College, Smithfield Work Experience Wrap Up 2026!

A week of firsts for Newman's Year 10s!

From trying out new trades to meeting people in the industry, students have been testing the waters in workplaces, picking up new skills and getting a feel for different career paths along the way.

A big thank you to the local employers who opened their doors and shared their time and knowledge, and to our VPG team for all the work behind the scenes to make it happen.

Well done to all the students! We hope you've enjoyed the week as much as we have enjoyed seeing what you've been up to!

✨VPG. Creating work experience opportunities for over 25 years.

15/10/2026

Sugar, seriously big machinery and a whole lot of local career possibilities!

Our Work Skills crew went behind the scenes at MSF Sugar Pty Ltd on the Tablelands, getting an up close look at the massive machinery and the many careers that keep the sugar mill running.

From electricians and boilermakers to fitters and truck drivers, there was plenty to explore. And yes, a little sugar taste testing along the way!

A big thank you to John and the MSF Sugar team for showing our crew what's possible right here in our region!

Skills for Queensland

13/10/2026

It’s been wonderful having Josephine as part of our VPG Classroom Champions community.

Josephine was supporting students at Trinity Bay State High School when the school encouraged her to formalise her experience through VPG’s Classroom Champions program.

Since then, she has taken every opportunity to learn, regularly joining supported study sessions after her day at school and building some beautiful connections with fellow participants along the way.

And there’s more to celebrate! 🎉 Josephine has officially secured a Teacher Aide role at Trinity Bay State High School, where she brings her cultural knowledge, care and ability to connect with students to her work each day.

She’s also discovered a real passion for learning, with further study in her sights once she completes the program.

Skills for Queensland

12/10/2026

🩺 How's this for work experience?!

Year 10 student Freya from Woree State High School has her sights set on becoming an Emergency Department doctor, so spending her work experience at EFM Health Clubs Cairns was a chance to get a look at where that ambition could take her.

And she certainly got one. Freya found herself right in the middle of the action, alongside Dr Mal Shah during a skin cancer procedure, watching closely, asking questions and taking it all in.

The verdict from her host? “She has been absolutely fantastic, and we’ve loved having her with us.” They also reckon that after handling the experience without “fainting, fleeing or reconsidering her entire career plan”, this aspiring ED doctor is off to a brilliant start. 👏

We’d have to agree. A huge thank you to the team at Edmonton Family Medical Centre for giving Freya such a meaningful, hands-on introduction to an industry she’s excited to be part of, and well done Freya!

✨ VPG. Creating work experience opportunities for over 25 years.

09/10/2026

🚗 What does it take to build a career in the automotive industry?

Toni, Joseph and Nathaly from John Cole Toyota Atherton & Innisfail gave our crew the full tour, from sales and parts to detailing, accessory fitting, mechanics, and paint and panel.

Staff from each department jumped in to talk about what they do, the skills that matter and what they look for in someone joining their team.

A great chance for our young people to ask questions, meet the people behind the jobs and see just how many different careers exist within one local business.

Thanks for having us, John Cole Toyota! 💙

Skills for Queensland

08/10/2026

We recently caught up with Tablelands Trail Builders graduate Denzel, who is now on the tools with Nathan and the team at Curcio Concreting.

Denzel went straight into work after finishing the 22-week VPG traineeship and has since started a concreting apprenticeship. And he’s been putting those wages to good use too, saving up to buy his first car and clocking up the learner hours towards his P’s. 🚗

It’s pretty awesome to see how far Denzel has come since joining Trail Builders, and even better to see him enjoying the work and doing so well.

A big thanks to Nathan and the team at Curcio Concreting for backing Denzel as he gets started in the trade.

Keep it up, Denzel!

📸 Denzel on the tools with Nathan from Curcio Concreting.

Skills for Queensland

07/10/2026

From Work Skills to Work with Willmot Smash Repair Specialist.

This legend right here, Zac, put his best foot forward through VPG’s Work Skills program, building industry skills, gaining tickets and licences, and getting himself ready for work.

Now he’s officially on the job at Willmot Smash Repairs, with a spray painting apprenticeship on the cards!

When we caught up with Zac at work, we asked him what he took most from the program. Outside of the training, tickets and industry connections, his answer was “accountability”: learning the importance of turning up on time, being consistent, wearing his PPE and being professional at work.

We loved having Zac in the program and it’s great to see him doing so well on the job.

And the best part of working at Willmot Smash Repairs according to Zac? The awesome team... and free donuts on Fridays. 😂🍩

Well done, Zac!

Skills for Queensland

06/10/2026

🎉 Big congrats to Maya on landing her first job at Grill'd.

Career coaching, resume support, job applications and interview prep with VPG’s Ready 4 Work program all helped get her ready for the opportunity.

And when it came, Maya nailed it - job offer on the spot! Well done, Maya! We’re so proud of you.

02/10/2026

Skilled up and into work!

Big congrats to GS4W participant Annie on her new role in administration with Atherton Mechanical Services with Todd and Amy Lowe!

Annie has put in an amazing effort through GS4W, building her skills, exploring where she wanted to head next and getting ready for work.

Now she’s putting those skills into practice on the job.

A big thanks to Todd, Amy and the team at Atherton Mechanical Services for giving Annie this opportunity.

Skills for Queensland

01/10/2026

🔧 Trade skills, backed by some serious technology

Our Work Skills crew headed to ShedFab in Tolga, where owner Murray opened the doors to a steel fabrication business he’s spent three decades building.

Murray took the group through the whole process, from designing sheds and houses to fabrication, welding and construction, while sharing how much the boilermaking trade has changed since he first started out.

And you can certainly see that change on the workshop floor. The group watched Shedfab’s impressive laser and plasma cutting machinery in action, seeing firsthand how technology has transformed the speed and precision of the work and helped the business grow.

A huge thanks to Murray and Shedfab for taking the time to share that experience with our crew.

Skills for Queensland

Address

98 Anderson Street
Cairns, QLD
4870

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

0740321677

Website

http://www.vpginc.com.au/

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