MAKE magazine - Issue 16 - TAFE Queensland

SEE WHERE TAFE CAN TAKE YOU IN 2023 AND BEYOND

Whether you’re preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, looking to take your career further, or want to change direction entirely, TAFE Queensland offers local communities the opportunities to create futures filled with passion and purpose.

In this edition of MAKE, we shine the spotlight on TAFE Queensland graduates and staff who have invested in their talents and forged incredible careers.

There’s Brandon Thompson, a proud Gooreng Gooreng man and former student of TAFE Queensland, who is now using his vast experience and knowledge to support and help improve the lives of many students across the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast region.

Already on her way to a successful future, Krystal Davies is an ambitious engineering apprentice who’s passionate about inspiring more young women and girls to take up the tools and a trade.

When it comes to understanding how to navigate the uncertainty of the internet and all things online, you can’t go past Jarrad Rogers, a graduate who is now running his own cyber security business.

Finally, there are battlers and then there’s Gemma Lightbody, a courageous young woman who has not only bravely fought and survived cancer but has been inspired by her own ordeal and personal challenges to help others through pursuing a career in nursing.

These talented students, graduates and staff truly exemplify what it means to make great happen.

TAFE Queensland graduates are breaking ground in careers as diverse as information technology, engineering, nursing, cookery, cyber security, fashion, business, automotive technology, early childhood education and care, construction, community services and photography. In fact, with more than 500 different qualifications on offer

across a range of study areas, as well as funding (including Fee-Free TAFE) available for eligible students, there has never been a better time to invest in yourself and your future.

So let TAFE Queensland help you define your greatness. Take the first step towards a fulfilling career you’re passionate about by enrolling, and you too can make great happen.

LEARN MORE

1300 308 233

tafeqld.edu.au

Cover photo by Phill Jackson Photography

Having recently blown out the candles on 140 years of education and training, TAFE Queensland has witnessed first-hand the impact that supporting students throughout their study journey has on securing positive outcomes.

Whether it’s giving helpful study tips and career advice, equipping students with the tools and support they need to learn, providing information on available funding, assisting students in securing employment, or simply offering them a safe space to talk about challenges that may be impacting their studies, TAFE Queensland’s Student Support services empower thousands of students across the state to achieve their goals every year.

Proud Gooreng Gooreng man Brandon Thompson is part of the dedicated team who deliver these valuable services. As a Customer Experience Officer at TAFE Queensland and Indigenous Support Officer, Brandon has helped countless locals change their lives for the better.

Brandon began working with TAFE Queensland 23 years ago, but his experience with vocational education and training extends much further. Having completed his own apprenticeship through TAFE Queensland and worked as a community development officer for Aboriginal Housing, Brandon witnessed the power quality training has in assisting First Nations People in gaining employment. So when the opportunity to work for TAFE Queensland arose, Brandon jumped at the chance.

“I’ve been to TAFE as an apprentice electrician, so I knew what TAFE had to offer people. I wanted to work in education and help Murries do that and then gain employment,” Brandon said.

“Education is a way forward for First Nations People — for anyone, for that matter. It’s a great opportunity

and if people don’t grab it and use it the best they can, they get left behind.”

Brandon’s role sees him assist students throughout their entire journey with TAFE Queensland, from helping them to choose a qualification and enrol, to supporting them throughout their studies and even helping them write resumes to gain employment. It’s a role he says is extremely rewarding.

“Some students require a bit more time to process information or need to have information explained in different ways, and that’s what I’m here for. At the end of the day, I just love seeing people get jobs,” Brandon said.

“I remember I had one bloke who came up to me and asked if we had any courses going, because he was sick of working in the fields. I helped enrol him in a business course and next time I saw him out and about, he had managed to get a job out of the sun and in an office, and he had the biggest smile on his face.

“And now, the kids of some of the people I helped when I first started are coming along and enrolling. They’ve heard their parents had a good experience at TAFE and got a job from it, so they see a pathway for themselves.”

To find out more about how TAFE Queensland can not only help you kick-start your career, but support you throughout your studies, visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233, and let TAFE Queensland help you define your greatness.

Education is a way forward for First Nations People — for anyone, for that matter. It’s a great opportunity and if people don’t grab it and use it the best they can, they get left behind.

Photo by Phill Jackson Photography

I think it’s a trade that women and girls would really enjoy and have fun with if they gave it a go.

A BROKEN GATE HINGE PROBABLY WOULDN’T HOLD THE ATTENTION OF MOST TEENS BUT KRYSTAL DAVIES WAS NOT YOUR TYPICAL TEEN AND SHE’S CERTAINLY NOT YOUR AVERAGE 21 YEAR OLD YOUNG WOMAN NOW.

As a fourth year apprentice who is currently studying a Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication (Boilermaking/ Welding) (MEM30319) at TAFE Queensland’s Bundaberg campus, Krystal is an inspiration to young girls and women, especially those who aspire to study engineering or take up a trade.

“It’s not hard at all to promote what I love doing and encourage other women to pick up the tools too,” Krystal said.

Krystal’s interest in boiler making began when she was 14 while one day watching her father and grandfather fix a gate hinge. Inspired by this experience, particularly for someone who loves working with her hands and solving problems, Krystal realised that she too, could ‘give this thing a go’.

“Watching dad and grandpa trying to fix the gate made me quite curious about how you can find a solution around something like that and about the possibilities of working with metal and making art out of it,” Krystal said.

“My curiosity grew to the point where I decided I could actually make a go of it as a career.”

Not surprisingly, this led Krystal to explore the idea of studying engineering, a field in which she not only excelled at in high school but also motivated her to pursue a career in boiler making.

“I realised that not only was I good at welding, I also really enjoyed doing it and could make a career of it,” Krystal said.

Along with the technical challenges of this trade, Krystal finds variety is another element that’s particularly appealing about boiler making.

“There’s so much more to fabricating or welding metal than you realise – I love that you can roll, bend and shape metal into just about anything,” Krystal said.

“A project that I’m currently working on is building a macadamia harvester for a local agricultural company in Bundaberg – it’s exciting stuff and I’m learning lots!”

Krystal is the only girl in her boiler making class but she doesn’t see any gender barriers in achieving her goals.

With only four months left to go in her apprenticeship, Krystal believes that anyone who’s passionate about boiler making and welding and is willing to put in the effort, can succeed in this trade.

As an excellent role model for young girls and women, Krystal would like to see more females take up boiler making or study engineering.

“I think it’s a trade that women and girls would really enjoy and have fun with if they gave it a go,” Krystal said.

“The fact that it’s a largely male dominated industry shouldn’t stop you from considering it as a potential career or doing something fun and worthwhile.”

According to the latest National Centre for Vocational Education Research data, 33 per cent of female apprentices

in training for the Certificate III in Fabrication (Boiler making/welding) are Queenslanders as at September 2022. Nationally, there has been a 79 per cent increase in female apprentices training for the Certificate III in Fabrication (Boiler making/welding) from September 2021 to September 2022.

With a 122 per cent increase, Queensland has more than doubled the number of female apprentices training for the Certificate III in Fabrication (Boiler making/welding) from September 2021 quarter to September 2022. Of these apprentices in training in the September quarter, 45 per cent were training with TAFE Institutes.

Krystal’s ultimate goal is to become an engineering teacher as she believes that having more female teachers in this field could motivate more young women and girls to study engineering.

Whatever else lies ahead in Krystal’s very bright future, one thing’s for sure – Krystal is already doing a sterling job breaking stereotypes and gender barriers in inspiring more women in her field.

To find out how TAFE Queensland can help you kick-start your career visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 and let TAFE Queensland help you define your greatness.

Photo by Lee-Ann Wilson Photography

JARRAD ROGERS IS HELPING PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES ONLINE AND VICTIMS OF CYBERCRIME TO RECLAIM THEIR IDENTITIES, AFTER MAKING THE DECISION TO SWITCH CAREERS AND

PURSUE HIS LIFELONG PASSION FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.

In just three short years, Jarrad Rogers has completed two qualifications, forged a rewarding career in cyber security, and launched his own business helping Sunshine Coast locals and businesses to safely navigate the internet.

Having spent nearly seven years as a civil engineering draftsman, Jarrad lost interest in his job and had quit with the intent to travel before starting a new career path. But when the global pandemic resulted in the closure of international borders, Jarrad was forced to reassess his plans.

Jarrad decided to reboot his career by developing his skills in an industry he’d long felt drawn to, but had never had the time to pursue. In 2020, he completed a Certificate III in Information Technology (ICT30120) under the State Government’s Certificate III Guarantee program, before going on to complete a Certificate IV in Cyber Security (22334VIC) at TAFE Queensland’s Mooloolaba campus.

“I’ve always loved gaming and that ignited my interest in computers. It’s an interest that has never really stopped growing,” Jarrad said.

“While I’d always enjoyed my work, I found myself wanting a change in direction, and when I started working in identity protection and helping victims of cybercrime, I had this feeling of, ‘This is what I’m meant to be doing’.”

Upon graduating at the end of 2021, Jarrad gained employment with IDCARE, working with the charitable organisation to support Australians

who had become victims of scams and cybercrimes by helping them with recovery and mitigation of risk.

Jarrad then started his own business Ident IT in 2022 through which he uses his expertise to support local individuals and small businesses to assess their vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and support the recovery of those impacted by cyber-crime. Jarrad is committed to supporting cyber-victims so they can take back control.

the Department of Small Business and Training to deliver training workshops in fraud and scam mitigation.

“Victims can often feel embarrassed and don’t know who to talk to or where to start, so it’s my job to put them on the right path to fight back and ensure they don’t fall victim again,” Jarrad said.

“Many people think identifying scams is easy but they don’t realise that cyber criminals are getting increasingly smarter in their approach, so I’m making it my job to keep on top of the latest tactics and warn others.”

Jarrad has even been recognised for his commitment to achieving excellence in training, with the 35-year-old taking out the title of Vocational Student of the Year at the 2022 North Coast regional final of the Queensland Training Awards.

“I developed a passion for helping victims but I really wanted to provide a greater level of assistance and a personal touch, and I feel like that starts at home. I really want to do what I can to help the local community first and foremost,” Jarrad said.

“My motivation stems from people close to me falling prey to these kinds of scams. If I can help people like my mum and dad, then that’s all the motivation I need.”

Ident IT offers a full range of services in cyber security, with a focus on prevention that involves identifying the biggest threats to clients and providing them with the education and tools to protect themselves. Jarrad’s expertise has seen him contracted by

“I was so surprised that I was lucky enough to win, it almost winded me. I never really thought my journey was that different to anyone else, so to be recognised and rewarded for my work is amazing,” Jarrad said.

Data by the National Skills Commission shows that employment growth for database and system administrators and ICT security experts is expected to rise by a whopping 38.9 per cent over the five years from November 2021 to November 2026.

To find out more about how TAFE Queensland can help you secure a career in information technology, visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233.

I found wantingmyself a change in direction and when I started working in identity protection and helping victims of cybercrime, I had this feeling of, ‘This is what I’m meant to be doing’.

Photo by Phill Jackson Photography

THE LAST SIX YEARS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING FOR GEMMA LIGHTBODY, WITH THE 32-YEAR-OLD MOTHER-OF-TWO HAVING TO WORK TO OVERCOME GRIEF AND LIFE-THREATENING HEALTH CONDITIONS. NOW, GEMMA IS PURSUING A CAREER IN NURSING, WITH THE GOAL OF USING HER OWN EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT OTHERS IN THEIR TIMES OF NEED.

From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, the last six years have been a rollercoaster of emotions for Gemma Lightbody. Despite the challenges life has thrown at her, Gemma has found purpose, which now sees her on the path to a new career with the help of TAFE Queensland.

Gemma arrived from England on a backpacking holiday nine years ago and, after finding love, made Australia her home. It wasn’t until tragedy struck six years ago that Gemma and her husband moved to Hervey Bay to seek the support of family following the loss of their first child Austin at 28 weeks gestation.

After grappling with grief, the couple were over-the-moon when they welcomed two children in the years following — Reuben, 5, and Connie, 2. But their world was turned upside down again when Connie was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart condition that saw her undergo open heart surgery at just five-months-old.

At the same time, Gemma had been battling bowel disease for six years and was forced to undergo surgery for an ileostomy in late 2020 before receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in February 2021.

“I had just beaten the cancer and was trying to get my life back on track after five months of chemo and a double mastectomy and decided I wanted to make a difference,” Gemma said.

“I’ve had lots of really good nurses and my fair share of bad luck with things being missed or there not being enough staff, so I wanted to put my experience and knowledge as a patient to good use.”

Having previously worked as an aged care support worker and a teacher aide, Gemma knew she was happiest helping others, but felt her medical experiences gave her a unique respect for and understanding of patients’ experiences. This led her to enrol in a Diploma of Nursing (HLT54121) at TAFE Queensland’s Hervey Bay campus.

“Long-term, I’d like to specialise in something I’ve had and can relate to so I can help people in their journey on a deeper level because I’ve been there,” Gemma said.

“If I can make a difference by using my experience to help someone else, then I will be happy.”

While returning to study as a mature aged student was daunting at first, Gemma’s experience with TAFE Queensland has ultimately built her confidence and reinforced that she is on the right path.

“Initially, it was a challenge to wake the brain up; chemo really affects your body and my memory isn’t what it used to be so I had to find new ways to study and change the way I learn but I’m so glad I did,” Gemma said.

“I’ve met some great people since starting at TAFE and we’re all really supportive of each other. The teachers from day one have been so friendly and welcoming, making it easy to reach out and talk to them when I need help or advice.”

Gemma is also among the first students in Hervey Bay to train in TAFE Queensland’s new $1.32 million purpose-built nursing

and allied health training space and is grateful to have the opportunity to continue developing her skills in this practical, industry relevant setting.

“I feel very lucky to be able to learn in the new nursing facility – there’s so much more equipment available like ECG and infusion machines, and it gives each student a lot more space to be able to learn and complete practical tasks,” Gemma said.

“We’ve had the opportunity to do simulated scenarios as if we’re working in a hospital. To get the chance to think and problem solve like nurses makes learning everything so much easier as we get the best start to placement by getting proper insight into what we should expect.”

While Gemma is on track to graduate in July 2023 and is looking forward to practicing in industry, she also intends to further her studies and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend TAFE Queensland to anyone thinking about becoming a nurse.

“If you’re considering nursing, go to TAFE and get the practical experience first. Doing simulated scenarios in such a realistic environment really builds your confidence. It might mean an extra six months of study but I feel like I’ll be a better nurse for it.”

To find out how TAFE Queensland can help you kick-start your career visit tafeqld.edu.au or call 1300 308 233 and let TAFE Queensland help you define your greatness.

Photo by Lee-Ann Wilson Photography