Mitchel says it’s never too late to chase an apprenticeship

By Greg Chapman

Mitchel Smith is one of a growing number of mature people taking on and completing an apprenticeship, thanks to his employer and CQUniversity TAFE. He says it’s never too late to give it a go, especially with the recent release of a new Queensland Government initiative.

The Queensland Government recently announced the Free Construction Apprenticeships for Over 25s – expanding the popular Free Apprenticeships program to encourage more people over the age of 25 to get skilled and pursue a career in construction. 

Under the initiative, a number of construction apprenticeships will be available fee-free to eligible applicants – including the Certificate III in Carpentry, which is the qualification Mitchel is completing with Rockhampton company, Lindsay McMaster Constructions.

“I’m currently in my last year of my apprenticeship. I’ve finished all my VET training and can be signed off at any time,” he said.

“It’s never too late to start an apprenticeship. Every day is a chance to learn - whether you’re 16 or 50, it doesn’t matter. What you put in is what you get out of it.” 

Mitchel said when COVID-19 put him out of work, he found an opportunity with Lindsay McMaster Constructions.

“What was supposed to be just one-week of work turned into eight months as a full-time casual and then I decided to do an apprenticeship starting the following year.”

He said the trade training he received at CQU’s Rockhampton City Campus was “fantastic”.

“The teachers at CQU TAFE were fantastic, teaching us different ways to do certain tasks. You get what you put into your learning. It’s up to you if you want to be a good tradesman or not,” he said. 

“Working at McMaster Construction is good, learning different tasks every day. Being an older apprentice and having a family, sometimes there’s days where I need to start early or finish late and it’s never a hassle.”

McMaster Construction Owner Lindsay McMaster said while Mitchel was currently his only apprentice, the training he’d received put him in good stead on the job site.

“The (CQU Rockhampton City) campus has come a long way since I attended it in the same buildings,” Lindsay said.

“I believe that the apprentices only get out what they are willing to put in, but with the guidance of the teachers this can flow onto their employer and become valuable tradespeople.”

With new construction facilities to open at CQU’s Rockhampton North campus from January next year, prospective apprentices will have the opportunity to acquire their training using the latest state-of-the-art equipment. 

To be eligible for the Free Construction Apprenticeship for Over 25s, prospective apprentices must:

• Have commenced or recommenced their apprenticeship between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2026;
• Be currently employed as a Queensland Apprentice (under a training contract) in an eligible apprenticeship qualification; 
• Be aged 25 years or older when the apprenticeship commenced or recommenced;
• Be eligible to access User Choice funding for the relevant apprenticeship qualification.

The CQU TAFE courses offered under the funding agreement are:

• Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying
• Certificate III in Cabinet Making
• Certificate III in Carpentry
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
• Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control
• Certificate III in Plumbing
• Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration

For more information visit http://www.cqu.edu.au/subsidy or http://www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training