From boilermaker to schoolteacher, thanks to Trade to Teach Internship

By Greg Chapman

After working for years as a boilermaker in the mines, Curtley Quakawoot is forging the tradespeople of the future as a schoolteacher, thanks to CQUniversity and the Queensland Government’s Trade to Teach Internship Program.

Curtley completed his Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication in 2010 and quickly found work in the mining industry.

“I spent three years on the tools out in the Bowen Basin in the coal mining industry before heading into a product conveyor support role as a sales and service technician,” he said.

“After seven years in that role, an opportunity arose to take on a Queensland management role, but unfortunately, I was made redundant during the COVID-19 period, so I went back out the mines as a supervisor.”

After several tumultuous years, Curtley said he decided he needed a career change, and the Trade to Teach Internship program made it happen.

The Queensland Government provides financial support, a paid teaching internship and permanent teaching position for qualified tradespeople under the Trade to Teach (T2T) Internship Program.

The Trade to Teach initiative aims to make a significant impact by bringing skilled professionals into the education sector. 

“I wanted more time at home raising my family and working with students, so I applied for a teacher’s aide position at Mackay North High School and discovered I really enjoyed working with the students,” he said.

“I spent the next two years with Education Queensland undertaking a number of roles, such as teacher aide, community education counsellor and then at the Mackay Engineering College as a trainer and assessor, teaching the Cert II in Engineering.”

In his second year of the internship, Curtley said he enjoyed the structure of the Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with CQU. 

“I'm finding it ok as the further I'm getting through my subjects the smaller my university load is,” he said.

“(The training) was structured specifically, which I think was well thought out as I can adjust to classroom teaching a lot more smoothly. 

“I'm currently employed as an intern under the T2T program at North Mackay State High School.

“It has been good doing my internship at a different school to my first-year prac placement, I've learned a lot from the staff and how some schools run slightly different.”

Curtley encouraged any tradesperson looking for a change to consider the T2T Internship Program.

“It’s a well supported system tailored to bridging the gap between industry and tertiary education,” he said.

Mackay North State High School Principal Catherine Rolfe said: “Curtley is a valued member of the trade team at school, given his trade experience and strong connections with the students. He is a great role model.”

Applications for the 2025 intake of the Trade to Teach Internship Program close on 22 September 2024. 

Find out more: www.qld.gov.au/tradetoteach.