How Norweld is investing in the future of Australian Made manufacturing
For more than 50 years, we’ve been building Australian Made heavy-duty aluminium ute trays and canopies.
As a proud Australian Made licensee, we understand the responsibility that comes with carrying the iconic green and gold kangaroo logo.
But supporting Australian manufacturing is more than just building products locally. It’s about investing in local jobs, developing skills and creating opportunities for the next generation of tradespeople who will help drive the industry forward.
It’s a commitment we live every day across our manufacturing facilities in Cairns, Brisbane and Townsville.
Throughout the year, students join us through school work experience programs to gain hands-on exposure to welding and fabrication, fitting, CNC routing, workshop safety and the day-to-day operations of a busy Australian manufacturing environment.
In 2025 alone, 39 students completed placements across the business, including a growing number of young women entering the workshop environment, something we’re proud to support by creating a workplace where people feel welcome, capable and encouraged from day one.
Students come through local schools, Careers Expos, direct enquiries and workshop tours led by our Special Projects Director, Isaac Edmiston, who regularly speaks with students about career opportunities in Australian manufacturing.
Images care of Queensland Manufacturing Hubs and BLA.
The focus isn’t on fast-tracking a trade qualification in a week. There’s no pressure attached. The goal is simple: provide a safe, practical and supportive experience that gives young people confidence and a genuine understanding of what a future in manufacturing could look like.
The connection between work experience and apprenticeships continues to be an important part of our approach.
We currently have 29 apprentices on the tools across the business, with many first walking through our doors as work experience students. They liked what they saw, connected with the team and chose to come back.
This year, we also strengthened our apprentice program with the introduction of a dedicated Apprentice Training Coordinator role, helping provide more structure, support and consistency as apprentices build their careers with Norweld.
Supporting apprentices properly also means recognising the challenges facing the industry. With low wages often cited as a reason young people leave trades early, we continue to pay significantly above the Manufacturing and Associated Industries and Occupations Award 2020 through our internal Workshop Development Pathway.
The structure is designed to reward progression as skills develop while helping apprentices build long-term careers in the industry.
Our approach to work experience and apprenticeship pathways was also recognised through involvement in the Cairns Chamber of Commerce Work Experience Guide for Business.
Our Executive Chairman, Jaime McIntosh, shared why supporting young Australians entering the industry remains such an important focus for us:
“Offering work experience to local students helps us stay engaged with the community while supporting the next generation of tradies.
It gives young people valuable, hands-on experience and helps them explore what a career in manufacturing could look like. For us, it’s rewarding to be part of that early journey. It’s also a great way to future-proof our workforce by connecting with potential apprentices.”
For us, developing people isn’t just a talking point. It’s part of the culture that has shaped our business for more than five decades.
Our leaders take time to teach. Apprentices help guide the next intake. Students are treated like future tradespeople from the moment they walk through the door.
That culture matters because the future of Australian manufacturing relies on the next generation having the opportunity, support and confidence to step into the industry and support Australia’s network of Australian Made manufacturers.
As Australian Made Week celebrates the businesses helping shape Australia’s manufacturing future, we remain committed to playing our part by continuing to invest in local people, local skills and Australian manufacturing for generations to come.
For more information on Australian Made Week 2026, visit Australian Made – Australia’s most extensive online directory of genuine Aussie made products.
Read Norweld’s proud Australian Made success story here.