Students in a small mining town in Queensland's Central Highlands are developing job-ready skills and knowledge while still in school, thanks to a state teaching finalist who has forged vital links between the school and the community.

Katherine ‘Kate’ Pryor, the longest continually serving teacher at Blackwater State High School (BSHS), has carved out a niche in the careers field that embodies what she values most about education: the real-world outcomes students achieve beyond the school gates.

Ms Pryor has led the transformation of the school's work experience program, ensuring every Year 10 student had an internship experience, not just locally, but as far as Brisbane and Mackay.

As a result of her efforts, multiple students have been employed during school and after graduation, with one student being a finalist for this year’s Queensland Training Awards and another now working in early childhood education, a field experiencing extreme staff shortages in the local community.

Not content with simply upskilling her students, Ms Pryor also completed a Graduate Certificate in Career Development, enabling her to provide career guidance to Year 12 students.

“In a small town with a clear primary industry - for us in Blackwater, it’s coal mining – it can be easy to slip into the mindset of just following what’s familiar,” she said.

“The ability to talk through their ideas for the future empowers the students to make more informed decisions about their lives.”

100% of students who took part in her career counselling found it worthwhile, and 98% said they had a clearer idea of what actions they should take to achieve their career goals.

“When a mumbled 'I don't know' barrier is broken down and the hidden dream is said out loud for the first time, the world of possibilities opens up,” she said.

As part of her dedication to helping students to experience the world beyond Blackwater, she spearheaded a new camp for the university-inclined students, which took them almost ten hours away to attend a Tertiary and Skills Expo in Brisbane.

The Blackwater University Tour, affectionately known as ‘BUT’, allowed 21 students to visit six universities in the region, which they might not otherwise have had the chance to experience.

The school camp was a big step for Ms Pryor, who had never been on one, let alone organised one, nor had anyone else in her professional network attempted such a project. Even so, she rose to the challenge - and students relished the experience.

“It brought a taste of life away from home and for some it was the furthest they’d ever travelled from home,” she said.

Some students had their plans confirmed, and many others arrived home with a new outlook altogether, along with new strategies to achieve their goals.

After the success of the inaugural event, excitement for the tour has trickled down to the lower grades, she says, with current year 9 and 10 students eager for their turn.

“At the end of the day, students living in regional areas of the state deserve the best opportunities we can provide,” she said.

Ms Pryor is a finalist at the Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards, in Outstanding Contribution to School Community category.

Winners will be announced October 27th, on the eve of World Teachers' Day in Queensland.