DRAFT ONE

Schools and P&C’s

We are excited to invite you to be part of something truly groundbreaking. The North Coast Sustainability Ecosystem is a pilot program bringing together schools, industry, and government to solve two of our region's most pressing challenges at once: reducing waste and building a skilled, future-ready workforce.

What makes this program different is simple: culture drives the change.

Most programs ask schools to do more. This one doesn't. There are no extra hours, no additional burden on staff – just a shift in behaviour and a smarter way of working together. CAS partnering with NeuroPower, one of Australia's leading frameworks for building high-performing teams and cultural maturity, alongside the world-proven discipline of LEAN, we create the conditions for lasting, meaningful change. Cleaners contribute to continuous improvement. Teachers and cleaners work together. Everyone has a voice, a role, and a shared purpose. That's how culture shifts, and that's how results stick.

With Principal approval, your Business Manager and P&C take the lead, implementing a simple, industry-proven system that diverts student resources away from landfill and into the circular economy. From there, the program builds steadily, connecting your school to circular economy partners, curriculum areas, industry mentors, and workforce pathways. You’ll have regular circular income for the P&C within 3 months of activating the system.

The same tools participants will learn, including Take 5, 5S, 8 Wastes, 5 Whys, and Fishbone analysis, are used daily by some of Australia's most respected organisations. Companies like Cummins, Toyota, Qantas, and Suncorp embed these LEAN and sustainability tools into their operations because they work. Participants won't just learn theory. They'll be speaking the language of sustainable industry, have work integrated projects for continuous improvement, and systems discipline.

We are proud to be partnering with Cummins and the Department of Manufacturing - Sunshine Coast Manufacturing Hub, 16 industry leaders, and four pilot schools to make this happen. You are invited to be one of them.

Our Vision: What we see in three years….

By the end of 2028, every school in this pilot will have transformed not just the way it operates, but the way it thinks and works together.

Each school will be diverting 75% or more of student resources from landfill, with a fully operational Sustainability Skills Centre (SSC) running as a live, scientific, work-integrated learning environment. Your P&C will be receiving regular income from the circular economy, with established partners purchasing recovered cans, bottles, white paper, glass, and metal that once went straight to landfill.

The cultural shift will be just as visible as the environmental one. Staff across every level of the school will be collaborating in ways that weren't happening before, with teachers and cleaners working side by side on continuous improvement, supported by the Neuro Power framework to build genuine team cohesion and cultural maturity. Schools that embed this culture see real results: improved staff wellbeing, stronger engagement, and a greater sense of shared purpose.

Industry partners will be walking through your school doors regularly, sharing how they use these same LEAN tools in their own businesses every single day and how their organisations are on their own continuous improvement and sustainability journeys. Students will be learning functional sustainability through hands-on experience in the SSC, with these tools woven into STEM and VET curriculum in a way that is relevant, engaging, and directly connected to real careers.

The North Coast will stand as a national exemplar, showcased within the Brisbane 2032 Games legacy strategy as proof that a region can build a thriving circular economy and a high-performing school culture from the ground up, simply by changing behaviour, not adding hours.

This is the future we are building together. We would love your school to be part of it.

What's involved for your school?

Joining this pilot is designed to be straightforward and low-risk. Here is what participation looks like:

Your commitment:

  • Principal approval to participate in the pilot program

  • Business Manager and P&C Coordinator as the primary leads

  • Willingness to shift how resource is managed operationally, not how much time is spent

  • Openness to collaboration across all staff levels, including teachers and cleaners with a common vision and values

  • Collaborating and learning with industry in work integrated learning to support student pathway outcomes.

What we provide:

  • A proven, step-by-step system for establishing your Sustainability Skills Centre (SSC), including resources, templates, posters etc.

  • Training in LEAN + NEURO tools and functional sustainability for your staff and school

  • Connection to circular economy partners who will purchase your recovered resources

  • Access to 16+ industry partners for mentorship, tours, and student pathways

  • Ongoing support from Climate Action Schools team of LEAN qualified experts for 1:1 coaching to ensure success

  • 3 months FREE access to The Lean Sensei to assist following the workshops (extra support), workbooks also supplied

  • A clear link to STEM and VET curriculum once your SSC is operational – this becomes a ‘live’ STEM training ground for incursions and offers VET connections to Engineering and Manufacturing through MSM20216 Cert II Manufacturing Technology and more.

  • Control chats and data to support grant applications.   

What it costs you:

  • FREE to do Steps 1 and 2 thanks to the Dept of Manufacturing and Industry ESG partner Cummins – Online

  • FREE subsidised teacher professional learning and development online Sustainability workshops for currency

  • Step 3 onwards should you require a critical support partner to implement is $25K (subsidised to $20K thanks to our partners and available in 2 x $10K payments over 2 Financial Years if necessary)

  • No additional staff hours, just a change in cultural behaviour

  • A commitment to doing things differently and creating a culture of continuous improvement 

Your step-by-step journey

Here is exactly what to expect, from your first conversation to a fully thriving LEAN learning ecosystem:

Step 1: 17/3 – Leadership Briefing 11:30-12noon - Principal approval ✅ Your principal endorses participation in the pilot. The Business Manager and P&C Coordinator are nominated as leads. No major commitment is required at this stage, just a willingness to explore.  

Step 2: 25/2, 18/3 - Operational briefing – How to become a Climate Action School - 📋 Your Business Manager and P&C Coordinator attend a focused briefing with Climate Action Schools. You'll see exactly how the system works, what's required, and what your school stands to gain, including cost savings and circular income. You’ll receive the Climate Action Schools Guide to implement DIY at this point.

The Pledge 2/4 – Media opportunity at Caloundra SHS – Minister invited

Step 3: 22/4 – 9:30-2:30pm  - Caloundra SHS – The System Explained 🛠️ A one-day on-site workshop is delivered for teachers, cleaners, and your Business Manager. Together, the team learns the LEAN tools and functional sustainability principles that underpin the program. This is where the cultural shift begins, with every staff member understanding their role in the system. Workbooks provided. 16pax max.  

Step 4: Sustainability Skills Centre (SSC) setup ♻️ Your SSC is established, with clearly organised resource recovery stations for cans, bottles, paper, glass, and metal. Simple, visual, and easy to maintain. All STEM and scientific resources provided. This is the operational foundation of everything that follows.  You must have an approved bin lifter.  Equipment is not part of this program. Allow $2k-$5K for consumables depending on equipment available. Ie buckets, aprons, cut proof gloves, compost bin etc.  The data is then able to be used for grants access for improvement.  You’ve activated your Schools Environmental Management Plan (SEMP).

Step 5: Circular economy partners introduced 💰 Once your SSC is running, we connect you with circular economy partners, including Containers for Change and buyers for white paper, glass, and metal. Your P&C begins receiving regular income from resources that were previously going to landfill. Please note: Containers Exchange are offering Donation Stations to public schools involved in this pilot to increase the circular income and recycling impact.

Step 6: Industry partners enter the school 🤝 With your SSC operational and your team aligned, industry partners begin visiting your school. They share how they use the same LEAN tools in their businesses, mentor students, and open doors to work experience and career pathways. Attend working bee’s and genuine values aligned assistance.

Step 7: Curriculum integration 📚 Your SSC becomes a live, work-integrated learning environment. LEAN tools are woven into STEM and VET curriculum, giving students hands-on experience with functional sustainability in a real operational context. Learning becomes tangible, relevant, and connected to the world of work.

Step 8: Continuous improvement and regional leadership 🌏 Your school joins a growing network of North Coast schools, sharing learnings, celebrating wins, and continuously improving. Over time, your school becomes a recognised exemplar, contributing to the Brisbane 2032 Games legacy and demonstrating what's possible when culture, education, and industry work as one.  You continue to supply your third party data to CAS (waste removal bills) for control charts.

Ready to take the first step?  Climate Action Schools - Expression of Interest - North Coast Pilot Program  – Fill out form

Industry

The future of manufacturing is being forged right here on the North Coast, and we invite you to be a foundational part of it. The North Coast Manufacturing Hub, in partnership with Climate Action Schools and the Department of Manufacturing, is launching a groundbreaking initiative: a LEAN Learning Ecosystem that promises to be the first in Australia for true sustainability and workforce development.

This isn't just another program; it's a strategic movement to position our magnificent North Coast Biosphere as a global exemplar within the Brisbane 2032 Games strategy. We're building a vibrant, sustainable community, and we need your vision and expertise to make it a reality.

🚀 Why This Is Your Moment to Lead:

  • Cultivate Your Future Workforce: Gain direct access to a pipeline of Year 10-12 students, pre-trained in industry-standard LEAN tools (5S, Take 5, 8 Wastes, 5 Whys, Fishbone). These are the practical, problem-solving skills essential for advanced manufacturing, ready to integrate into your business.

  • Drive True Sustainability & ESG: Be at the forefront of embedding circular economy principles. Your participation delivers tangible ESG outcomes, enhances your brand leadership, and provides insights into future supply chain sustainability.  We’re all on the journey.

  • Influence & Innovate: Help shape the curriculum and pathways that will feed directly into critical North Coast manufacturing sectors like Food & Beverage, Health & Medical, Aviation & Aerospace, and Building Materials.

  • Be a Global Exemplar: Contribute to a world-first model that will be showcased as part of the Brisbane 2032 Games legacy, demonstrating how industry and education can collaboratively build a truly sustainable future.

  • Community & Economic Multipliers: Foster a resilient, skilled community, generating economic benefits and strengthening the local talent pool for years to come.

🤝 We're Seeking 16 Visionary Industry Partners to:

  • Host Staff & Student Tours: Open your doors to teachers, cleaners, and students to showcase LEAN systems and functional sustainability in action within your operations.

  • Provide Mentorship: Guide the next generation of manufacturing talent, sharing your invaluable experience and insights.

  • Offer Pathways: Explore work experience, cadetship, and apprenticeship opportunities for these pre-trained, enthusiastic students.

  • Collaborate on CI Projects: Engage with schools on continuous improvement initiatives, applying LEAN principles to real-world challenges.

This is a unique opportunity to make a profound impact – on your business, on our region, and on the global stage. We're building something truly special, and your involvement is critical to its success.

Don't miss your chance to be a pioneer in this world-first initiative.

📞 Connect with us today to discuss how your business can help build this extraordinary LEAN Learning Ecosystem!  Or complete our Industry Partnership Form

Climate Action Schools - ESG Industry Partnership Form – Fill out form

Look forward to connecting you to this valuable win win program.

 

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