AT a time when conversations about young people in Ipswich can too often focus on challenges or negatives, The Industry School is proving what is possible when education is built around opportunity, purpose and real-world experience.
The school’s North Ipswich campus has recorded an exceptional result for its 2025 graduating class, with 100 per cent of students attaining the Queensland Certificate of Education and 100 per cent moving into positive post-school destinations. The outcome means every graduate has progressed into apprenticeships, traineeships, employment or further education – a result few schools achieve across an entire cohort.
Central to the school’s success is its distinctive 50/50 learning model, where students in Years 10 to 12 divide their time between classroom learning and hands-on industry experience in real workplaces.
The approach is designed to close the gap between school and employment, allowing students to graduate with practical experience, workplace skills and clear career pathways already underway.
Principal Andrew Want said the results reflected the commitment of students who had chosen a different approach to their senior schooling.
“Our students haven’t just finished school; they have deliberately chosen a different path to success,” Mr Want said.
“By choosing a model that perfectly balances five weeks of education with seven weeks of immersive industry experience, they have learned to master both the textbook and the toolkit.
“These young people have developed the will, the skill and the mindset required to thrive in the modern workforce, and our 100 per cent success rate reflects that dedication.”
The school’s model is supported by a network of more than 5000 industry partners across South East Queensland, creating a direct connection between classrooms and employers.
The results from the North Ipswich campus highlight the growing role that industry-linked education models are playing in preparing young people for the workforce.
For the students of The Industry School’s 2025 cohort, the milestone represents more than an impressive statistic but demonstrates that when education is connected to real opportunities, our talented youth can rise to the challenge.
