Merger grows opportunities for vocational careers
Ten years at CQUniversity means a double milestone for Mackay’s Jackie Campbell.
The vocational education advocate first spent 10 years at CQ TAFE leading business development, before CQUniversity merged with CQ TAFE on 1 July, 2014.
Ms Campbell is now the Mackay Ooralea Campus Leader for CQU’s School of Trades and has spent two decades driving big projects to support students, apprentices, teachers and employers – and she’s seen opportunities grow across CQU’s TAFE training.
Her proudest achievements include CQUniversity’s partnership with BHP Operation Services (OS) to deliver training in its FutureFit Academy - and supporting trainees and apprentices to compete in WorldSkills competitions locally and nationally.
“It’s been incredible to see how much has changed over 20 years, and some of the big projects we’ve been able to get across the line,” she said.
“BHP OS’s FutureFit Academy, where CQU is the Registered Training Organisation that oversees training in their purpose-built learning centre in Mackay, was made possible because we had teams across CQUniversity working together.”
Four years into the award-winning partnership, CQUniversity has helped train 428 BHP OS trainees and apprentices, including 122 Indigenous participants.
“We’ve been able to help a large organisation to realise a dream, to train their people in their own environment – and that’s a brilliant outcome for all participants.”
Working with teachers and students daily at the busy Ooralea campus, Ms Campbell said supporting young people was a highlight of her job.
“I love being on the ground, being involved with our apprentice and trainee groups and helping them realise the support that’s in place for them at CQU,” she said.
“At our annual events like University Mental Health Day and RUOK Day, we connect students with our wellbeing team and Indigenous support, and services like Mates in Construction, to really make mental health a priority,” she said.
The proud mum of a TAFE-trained tradie, and a life-long learner herself, Ms Campbell says she’s got plenty of practical advice to share.
“In the past few years, I’ve done CQUniversity’s Graduate Certificate in Management, and in Authentic Leadership as well – they've helped me a lot in this role actually!” she said.
“We do a lot of campus tours for young people who are thinking about trades careers, and at the start the thought of four years in an apprenticeship can be overwhelming – but I’ve seen my son go through it, and so many others now.”
Since 2021, she’s also been Central Queensland Coordinator for WorldSkills Australia, part of a global competition to showcase apprentices and trainees across the spectrum of trades.
“We’ve got more than 20 regional events this year, ahead of the nationals in Brisbane in 2025 - from bricklaying to hairdressing, electrical, plumbing and heavy vehicle - it’s thrilling to see our students challenged to be their best,” she said.
“Being part of CQUniversity, we can also connect vocational students with broader opportunities – for instance, some of our trades apprentices are also juggling engineering degrees, and they’re able to complete all their studies on the one site here in Ooralea.
“For me, it’s about young people and growth within themselves, and letting them know that there are a lot of people at CQUniversity here to help.”
CQUniversity is Queensland’s only dual-sector university, offering both higher education and vocational training.
In Mackay, the merger paved the way for development of the $46 million Trades Training Centre and $16.6 million Engineering Centre at CQU’s Ooralea campus, as well as the $10.2 million Mackay City campus refurbishment.
Ms Campbell said she was proud to be part of growing opportunities for local people.
“Working at CQU, and studying with CQU, you realise people never stop learning – and being able to help with that journey, it means a lot.”
CQUniversity is marking 10 years since the CQU + TAFE merger at a series of national events in July 2024.
Read more inspiring 10 years of TAFE stories:
- TAFE and tresses empower Sherrie’s career
- Decade of learning and leadership transforms Rockhampton education
- Toby looks back on bricklaying training with pride
- VET course leads to vet career
- TAFE provides tools to medical studies
- Naomi nurses a strong career in health 10 years after completing her diploma
- Pat paints a positive picture of visual arts training since CQU merger with TAFE
