TWO fourth-year engineering students and a graduate in geology from James Cook University are gaining hands-on experience on the Port of Townsville’s $193m channel upgrade project.

These students have been employed as interns of the project, which aims to widen the port’s channel and create about 60 hectares of land for future port development.

Geology graduate Kimmy Jennings, one of the interns, said the internship gave her an opportunity to experience what she studied for.

“I can learn about the inner workings of a big project like this,” she said.

“Most importantly, I’ve learned about the value of the environment in a real-world setting.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Port of Townsville general manager, infrastructure Kim Gebers said the port was focused on maximising local involvement and developing local capability.

“We are progressing well,” she said.

“We have a very strong focus on local content and developing local businesses and local people wherever possible.”