Keebra Park State High School is renowned on the Gold Coast as a rugby league factory of talent.
Famous alumni include Benji Marshall, Reece Walsh, David Fifita and Tanah Boyd, who all passed through its halls before becoming world class players on the international stage.
While the school is well known for producing elite sporting talent, it is also creating pathways to success beyond the field.
Through its strong Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs, Keebra Park is giving students practical skills, industry experience and nationally recognised qualifications years before they finish school.
Just as the school’s rugby league program has helped students achieve their sporting ambitions, its VET pathways are helping the next generation build successful futures in industries such as construction, engineering, and electrical trades.
The school partnered with Major Training to bring the Vet in Schools (VETiS) pre-apprenticeship training onto campus, with trainer Terry Turnbull delivering the program directly at Keebra Park rather than students having to travel elsewhere.
See some of the VETiS graduates from 2026.
Matthew Graham, the school’s HOD Technologies Daymap Co-Ordinator said there was 100 students enrolled across the three pathways, with strong interest from students exploring trade pathways.
“Having Terry deliver the courses at Keebra Park makes the training easier for students to access and removes the need to travel off site,” Mr Graham said.
“It also allows regular communication between the trainer and school,” he said.
With 32 students enrolled in Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22020), 20 in Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422) and 48 in Certificate II in Construction Pathways (CPC20220), strong enrolment numbers reflect Keebra Park State High School’s commitment to hands-on learning and trade career pathways.
All three courses enable students to build real skills, confidence and industry knowledge while still at school, earning points towards their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE).
Mr Graham said the positive outcomes achieved by students have been supported by the school’s ongoing partnership with Major Training.
“Working with Major Training has been straightforward, with regular communication around enrolments, training, student progress and any issues that arise,” he said.
The courses themselves are built around doing rather than sitting through theory, and Mr Graham said this hands-on format is what draws students in.
“The practical format suits students who prefer learning by doing and seeing a clear connection to workplace skills,” he said.
“Our curriculum is informed by student voice and industry needs which allows for partners to support students and the knowledge that students will graduate into fields where there are jobs.
“It also helps students determine whether a trade pathway is right for them.”
Trade careers are increasingly seen as one of the most secure career paths right now.
As automation reshapes other industries, work that depends on physical skill and human judgement are in high demand.
Keebra Park State School has built champions on the field for years, and its VETiS pathways are now giving students the same head start in an industry built to last.
For more information about VETiS programs including Major Training’s in school program delivery visit https://major.edu.au/funding/vet-in-schools-program/.
