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Engineering Cadetships

Engineering Cadet Student wearing PPE standing with a large piping structure
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Are you ready to shape the future of engineering and don’t want to wait until after you graduate?

Kickstart your engineering career with CQUniversity's Engineering Cadetships! In partnership with a variety of organisations, you can gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and receive continuous support. Enter the workforce early and secure your future today!

Cadetship Benefits

As an aspiring engineer, you'll benefit from a structured work-study program that allows you to gain valuable practical experience while completing your engineering degree.

  • Practical Experience: Cadetships blend theory with invaluable hands-on practice. Work alongside seasoned professionals, applying what you’ve learned to real‑life engineering projects.
  • Financial Support: Employers often provide financial assistance. This may include a regular salary, payment of university course fees, or a combination of both.
  • Industry Connections: Build valuable networks that could lead to full- or part-time roles even before you graduate.
  • Professional Development: Participating in a cadetship can significantly boost your resume and enhance your employability. The skills and experiences gained during your cadetship make you a competitive candidate in the job market.
  • Career Pathways: Cadetships often lead to direct job offers from your host employer upon graduation. This continuity can provide a seamless transition from education to full-time employment, allowing you to start your engineering career with confidence.
  • Industry Engagement: CQU actively engages with industry partners to offer cadetship opportunities each year, ensuring our graduates are work-ready.

Which courses are eligible?

We have a range of engineering courses that integrate into cadetships at a variety of locations throughout Queensland including Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton and online. Courses include:

You will need to check the course’s entry requirements when applying for the cadetship with a particular employer. Plus, your potential employer will have their own selection criteria for the cadetship.

Where can I do an Engineering Cadetship?

Our cadetship partners span a range of locations, including Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton. We also support our online students with opportunities throughout Australia. Below are some cadetship roles we are currently advertising.

Cairns Regional Council

Become a Cadet Designer with our Design and Survey Services team in Cairns QLD. Closing date: 12 January 2025.

Downer

Seeking a 3rd or 4th year Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronic Engineering student based in Maryborough or Brisbane QLD. Closing date: 17 December 2024.

GHD

Any students looking for a cadetship based in Bundaberg or Hervey Bay QLD. Closing date: Continously open

Tipec

Civil Student Engineer position available in Hervey Bay or Mackay QLD. Closing date: Continously open.

Lovejoy Services

Seeking Electrical students for a Work Experience opportunity in Bundaberg QLD, with the potential to lead to a cadetship. Closing date: Continously open

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks

Electrical Engineering opportunity available in Bundaberg QLD. Closing date: Continously open

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Looking for a Civil or Mechanical Engineering student located in Cairns QLD. Closing date: Continuously open.

Cascade Australia

Seeking an Intern for work experience in Darra QLD. Closing date: Continuously open till end of 2024.

Custom Fluidpower

Looking for a Mechanical or Mechanical with Industrial Automation in Mackay QLD. Closing date: Continuously open until further notice.

Becker Sunner

Any Civil students looking for a cadetship based in Mackay QLD. Closing date: Continuously open.

Recent Engineering Cadetships

Below are some recent cadetship opportunities that students have applied for.

Position: Undergraduate Engineer

Location: Rockhampton QLD

Discipline: Civil, Structural

Employment: Casual to Full-time

Posted: 22 July 2024

Position: Cadet (Design)

Location: Bundaberg QLD

Discipline: Civil

Employment: Flexible, permanent, full-time. Full-time Work and Part-time Study

Posted: 11 July 2024

Position: Cadet Engineer or Designer

Location: Rockhampton or Bundaberg QLD

Discipline: Civil

Employment Type: Full-time or Part-time

Posted: 15 May 2024

Position: Cadetship Program

Location: Gladstone QLD

Discipline: Mechanical, Electrical Instrumentation/ Control Systems, Electrical, Civil and Structural

Employment Type: Fixed Term

Posted: 26 April 2024

Position: Site Engineer

Location: Rockhampton QLD (across several Haslin sites)

Discipline: Civil / Civil Construction

Employment Type: 38hrs/week / aiming for full time but open to part-time/casual

Posted: 8 March 2024

Position: Engineering Cadetship

Location: Mackay

Discipline: Mining/Resources

Employment Type: Full-time, Term Contract

Posted: 25 October 2023

Position: Electrical Designer

Location: Brisbane

Discipline: Electrical

Employment Type: Full-time

Posted: 20 October 2023

How Do I Apply?

You can find CQU Engineering Cadetships advertised with our partners either via their website or job listing websites such as Seek. Each cadetship will be different so be sure to check the application requirements carefully with each listing. 

Remember, applying for a cadetship is also applying for employment with an organisation so, pay particular attention to your resume, cover letter and additional requirements.

Partner With Us

At CQU, we're always looking to engage and form strong partnerships with our community to support our students, regions and workforce.

At CQU, we take pride in attracting a diverse range of students, each with a genuine eagerness to learn. This passion for knowledge, coupled with our unwavering support, empowers our students to emerge as confident and highly skilled engineers. Our track record speaks for itself - we're ranked #1 in Australia for full-time employment among engineering graduates*. 

Plus, our undergraduate engineering courses have been awarded five-star ratings for full-time employment, starting salary, and the availability of top-notch learning resources*. This is proof of the exceptional quality of our graduates, assuring you that your commitment to CQU will support your workforce now and into the future. 

*The Good Universities Guide 2023.

The demand for professional engineers in Australia continues to grow rapidly; for civil engineers alone, it is projected that by 2026 there will be a strong 13.4% growth in demand. Strong growth is also expected across the board for other engineering specialities, including electrical, mechanical, mining, chemical and more, according to Labour Market Insights reports. 

We know there is a shortage in the industry for qualified engineers, Infrastructure Australia predicts the demand for engineering skills to be 48% higher than supply by 2025, which is equivalent to more than 41,000 new engineers needed. 

By combining CQU and industry efforts we can work towards meeting the demand for engineers, ensuring a skilled and capable workforce to contribute to the country's development and growth.

Plus, our graduates are highly regarded by employers, with the latest national employer survey showing CQUniversity is ranked #1 in Queensland and #4 nationally for overall employer satisfaction. QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey 2022

Reinforce your Workplace

If you are an employer interested in our cadetship program and would like to participate, Download a digital copy of our most up-to-date flyer designed specifically for you.

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