Manufacturing Skills Queensland

Making it in manufacturing

The manufacturing sector contributes $20 billion to the Queensland economy and employs 180,000 people, yet women account for less than 30 per cent of this number, making up 52,500 of the workforce. Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) approached Rowland seeking our assistance to start to change this narrative.

In response to the Career Development Institute research which recommends starting formal career education at key stage two, we created a career book for children in Years 4-6 (age 7-12) to be distributed through both public and private schools, to help start systemic, generational change.

We recognised early in the project that for the book to resonate in the classroom, and beyond, our future makers must recognise themselves in the book. And so ‘The Maker Squad’ was born — a graphic novel introducing six children coming together to discover their maker skills and create something amazing.

Titled ‘You Can Make It’, the career book showcases Queensland women making it in manufacturing, telling the story of their diverse and fascinating journeys and inspiring children to discover their own pathways to ‘make it’ too.

The book was published and launched in July 2025, attracting widespread interest and engagement. Planning is underway to produce and distribute 280,000 printed copies to schools across Queensland along with accompanying teaching resources.

Services

• Interviews
• Copywriting
• Photography
• Illustration
• Design concepts
• Finished art
• Print management