Meet our students
TAFE Queensland graduates can look forward to working in a range of exciting professions. Our up-to-date courses developed with industry professionals mean that you are job-ready when you graduate from TAFE.
What industry area are you interested in?
What do you want to be? A Graphic designer working in an advertising agency or a Mechanical engineer dedicated to motor sports? What about a Head Chef working in a five star hotel?
Select the industry you're interested in, and learn how other students have used TAFE as a pathway to further study or employment.
Art, Entertainment & Fashion
Automotive, Building, Construction
Business & Financial Services
Community Services, Health & Beauty
Engineering & Mining
Horticulture & Primary Industries
Hospitality, Travel & Tourism
Information & Communication Technology
Sport & Recreation, Science & Technology
Manufacturing
Programs for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People
Access to Education, English Language & Literacy
Gold Coast's Apprentice of the Year...
Judith Collison
Diploma of Children's Services
Gold Coast TAFE
Judith Collison is doing what she can to challenge the perception of the typical 'young' apprentice. At 36, she has just been named the Gold Coast Apprentice of the Year in the 2006 Queensland Training Awards.
The mother of two has always loved working and caring for children and said her employer, Kanga's Kindergarten Child Centre in Tugun, offered her the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship after recognising her ambition and desire to take on a more challenging role in the centre.
'At first it felt quite strange and out of the ordinary to be an apprentice at my age, but to my surprise and delight, I thoroughly enjoyed my study at Gold Coast TAFE,' Judith said.
Art, Entertainment & Fashion
Meeting Jamie Foxx at Tropfest
Steve Baker
Diploma of Animation
Southbank Institute of TAFE
"As a Tropfest finalist, you're getting massive exposure. I got to hang out with other people in the Australian film industry and meet the judges - actors such as Salma Hayek, Josh Lucas and Jamie Foxx."- Steve Baker
Originally accepted to study animation at university but chose TAFE as the program was more practical and the teachers had many years of industry experience.
Since graduating, Steve has won many awards, including
- finalist with The Cutting Room Floor, Sydney's Tropfest 2001 short film competition
- overall runner up with Confessions of an Animation, Tropfest 2004 .
Now? Steve works as a freelance animator on music video clips, commercials and television programs.
Automotive, Building, Construction
Drive to succeed
Sara Marsh
Automotive Apprentice
Gold Coast Institute of TAFE
She may only be sixteen-years-old, but self-confessed car-fanatic Sara Marsh has an insatiable drive to succeed in a 'man's' world.
The Gold Coast TAFE first-year automotive apprentice and part-time model is the youngest in her class and is already proving she's not afraid to get her hands dirty.
'I've always loved cars and I've always been attracted to the idea of doing something different,' Sara said.
Business & Financial Services
From trainee receptionist to finalist in National Management Awards...
Bronwyn Smith
Traineeship, Certificate III in Office Administration
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE
- Finalist in the Telstra Business Women's Management Award
- Finalist in Australian Institute of Management, Young Manager of the Year Awards
As a school leaver Bronwyn had no idea of what she wanted to do. She joined the Kilkivan Shire Council in 1991 as a trainee receptionist and enrolled in a Certificate III in Office Administration at TAFE.
Now? Bronwyn is the Wide Bay Group Training Sales and Marketing Manager for Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Community Services, Health & Beauty
Take your career to a new level...
Jo'el Collinson
Certificate III in Hairdressing
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE
From the age of fifteen, Jo'el Collinson had won Fashion Galas several years in a row. As a result she was offered an apprenticeship at an Annual Hair Show. Jo'el studied at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, undertaking Certificate III in Hairdressing. She worked at MAASS Total Hair and Beauty and furthered her career by attending Redken Trends Workshops throughout Australia.
In 2007 she will be off to Las Vegas for the Redken Trends Symposium for her first overseas trip. In the coming years, she plans to own her own salon and later on undertake a teaching degree to educate new apprentices.
Engineering & Mining
Get a head start...
Edward Skerman
School-based Apprenticeship as Electrican
After deciding to pursue a career in the Electrotechnology Industry but not wanting to leave school directly after grade ten, Edward Skermann took on a school-based apprenticeship as an electrician with the Toowoomba City Council.
This meant Edward could complete senior at Centenary Heights State High School including: Maths B, Physics, Music, Graphics and English, and leave open future university options while gaining a head-start in his apprenticeship.
Edward carefully balances work, school and TAFE, and is absent from school for two days a week and TAFE blocks. He says he most enjoys the wide variety of field locations he visits for work.
Horticulture & Primary Industries
Secure your dream job...
George Darby
Certificate II and Certificate III in Horticulture
George Darby always enjoyed working with people and flowers.
Despite having multiple disabilities, George successfully completed his Certificate II and Certificate III in Horticulture at TAFE, and now works in an area he loves.
'TAFE helped me achieve my dream of working as a gardener in my local community centre,' George said.
Hospitality, Travel & Tourism
Graduate from TAFE and work with Jamie Oliver!
Ben Donaldson
Diploma of Hospitality Management
Moreton Institute of TAFE
Ben has been working as Chef de Partie in Jamie Oliver's prestigious London restaurant, Fifteen, where he helps train chef hopefuls such as those featured in the reality program, Jamie's Kitchen.
Some of his famous customers include Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Dan Aykroyd, Kate Moss and Julia Roberts.
Information & Communication Technology
TAFE student winner of nation's top package design competition
Ayumi Utsumi
Diploma of Graphic Design
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Ayumi was the winner of the top award in the national 2004 Southern Cross Package Design Award, POSTpak category.
Judged by leading industry designers, the Southern Cross Package Design Awards are open to all universities, TAFE colleges and private design colleges.
The awards aim to provide students with a taste of real industry challenge - resembling that of a client/designer relationship.
Sport & Recreation, Science & Technology
Start your own business in personal training...
Jodie Spencer
Certificate IV in Personal Training
Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
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Young Business Woman of the Year nominee,
2004 Sunshine Coast Business Woman of the Year Awards
While Jodie enjoyed working at her local convenience store, she knew there was something else she wanted to do. Motivated by a passion for sport, she enrolled in a Certificate IV in Personal Training at TAFE.
Jodie's training taught her everything she needed to know from nutrition to rehabilitation of sports injuries, to understanding motivation psychology and leadership.
Now? Jodie has started her own personal training business, V Health.
Manufacturing
Maintaining the rides at Dreamworld...
Mike Havilah
Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering
Yeronga Institute of TAFE
As Dreamworld's Electronic equipment manufacturing specialist, Mike implements a broad range of electronic skills to maintain the ride equipment at the popular theme park.
Programs for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People
Reaching your dream...
Cheryl Moggs
Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE
Cheryl left Primary School at age nine. Frustrated by not being able to help her children with their homework, Cheryl completed a correspondence course in Years 5, 6, 7 and junior adult literacy and numeracy. She then went on to do a Vocational Access course in basic numeracy and literacy at TAFE.
Encouraged by her success, Cheryl applied to do a Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching at TAFE and took a giant step to achieving her dream of becoming a teacher.
Now? Cheryl has gone on to complete a Masters in Special Education.