Industry & Educator Roundtable: Connecting Curriculum to Industry Context

Let’s connect education and industry to spark curiosity, build capability, and create real opportunities for our students. Join us .

Connecting Classrooms to the Coast’s Manufacturing Industry

Join the Sunshine Coast Manufacturing Hub for a high-impact Industry / Educator Roundtable Working Breakfast, designed to strengthen connections between local manufacturing and the Queensland Curriculum – Industrial Technology & Design (ITD).

This session features a unique opportunity for educators to engage directly with local manufacturing industry representatives across key sectors including Building Supplies, Aviation/Aerospace, Health & Medical, and Food & Beverage. Industry leaders will share what they manufacture locally, how manufacturing is evolving through automation, robotics, sustainability and digital systems in their enterprise, and what workforce capability challenges and opportunities they see for the future.

A key highlight of the morning will be an industry panel discussion, where panellists will provide real insights into:

• What industry want from educators in entry-level workers in their sector
• The core training skills required for students entering manufacturing pathways
• Where industry can better support schools to increase student engagement and participation

Participants will also engage in a hands-on lean simulation activity delivered by the Climate Action Schools Program, a way of working in industry, alongside an interactive curriculum mapping roundtable with industry representatives, co-designing classroom-ready learning ideas, assessment projects, and practical ways to embed sustainability, lean thinking, and real-world manufacturing into teaching.

This workshop is ideal for school educators seeking stronger local industry connections, authentic manufacturing contexts for teaching, and new ways to build student pathways into one of the region’s most important and future-focused industries.

Date: 31st March, 2026

Time: 7.30am - 9.30am

Venue: Maroochydore Surf Club

RSVP - COB 24th March, 2026

Complimentary Breakfast - please advise dietary requirements when registering your seat.

Panelists/ Industry Representatives Attending

Will Smart – Smartline Medical
Will Smart is a leader in medical manufacturing, specialising in innovative healthcare solutions and precision production. He brings valuable insight into quality systems, regulatory environments, and workforce skills needed in advanced health manufacturing.

Melitta McDonald – Country Chef
Melitta McDonald represents the Food & Beverage manufacturing sector, with experience in large-scale food production and workforce development. She offers practical perspectives on supply chains, quality standards, and career pathways in modern food manufacturing.

Tim Kelly – MEFSC (Manufacturing Excellence Forum Sunshine Coast)
Tim Kelly supports manufacturing growth across the Sunshine Coast through industry engagement and capability development. He brings deep insight into regional workforce needs, advanced manufacturing trends, and building strong education–industry partnerships.

John – Megabeam
John leads innovative manufacturing operations at Megabeam, specialising in automation-driven production and high-performance engineering solutions. He contributes expertise in advanced manufacturing technologies and real-world workforce pathways.

Jules McMurtrie – Climate Action Schools Program
Jules McMurtrie works with schools to embed sustainability, systems thinking, and lean principles into teaching through practical, hands-on learning experiences. She supports educators to connect classroom learning with real-world industry challenges and climate action initiatives.

More information please contact: Principal Capability Development Officer - Melissa Neumann - melissa.neumann@nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au

Places are limited. Please book your seat early!

A Certificate of Participation for this workshop will be provided.