Trades
Learn the tricks of the trade, develop lifelong skills and earn qualifications to open the door on a rewarding career across a wide range of industries.
Show me study areas for
Air-conditioning and refrigeration
Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics install and repair industrial, commercial, and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Employment opportunities in refrigeration and air-conditioning maintenance are expected to remain solid with up to 25,000 jobs available over the next five years.
What will I be able to do
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration manager
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration supervisor
- Split air-conditioning and heat pump installer
Electrotechnology
Spark some life into your career with our range of electrotechnology courses. Develop further skills to specialises in automation, instrumentation, renewable energy, security, and telecommunications.
What will I be able to do
- Electrician
- Appliance service repair technician
- Instrumentation and control technician
- Renewable energy technical officer
- Telecommunications technician
Bricklaying and stonemasonry
TAFE Queensland offers courses entry-level courses in both stonemasonry and bricklaying/blocklaying. As a fully-qualified brick or blocklayer you'll also have the opportunity to continue your training to becoming a registered builder, opening up opportunities to work as a sub-contractor or sole trader.
What will I be able to do
- Bricklayer
- Stonemason (monumental)
- Stonemason (restoration)
Building design
Help shape the future of Australia's infrastructure with a career in civil engineering. Or develop skills in computer-aided design to produce drawings and models for residential and small-scale commercial projects as a building designer.
What will I be able to do
- Building designer
- Design drafter
- Draftsperson
- Engineering surveyor
- Site supervisor
Carpentry and joinery
Our woodworking courses cover a number of trades including carpentry, furniture making, joinery, and shopfitting. Learn how to construct frames for walls and ceilings, make timber joints, assemble furniture components, or construct and install shopfronts.
What will I be able to do
- Cabinet maker
- Carpenter
- Joiner
- Shopfitter
Civil construction
Help shape the future of infrastructure with a career in civil construction. Choose to specialise in pipe laying, plant operations, road construction and maintenance, or civil engineering.
What will I be able to do
- Civil construction supervisor
- Pipe layer
- Plant operator
- Road construction worker
- Civil engineer
Building and construction
Learn hands on with one of our generalist building and construction courses or choose to specialise in waterproofing or estimating. We also offer advanced courses that will allow you to supervise on-site construction and apply for your builders licence in Queensland.
What will I be able to do
- Builder
- Construction manager
- Estimator
- Site supervisor
- Waterproofer
Painting and decorating
Open up career opportunities in both commercial and residential settings as a qualified painter and decorator. Learn how to prepare surfaces, match paint colours, and apply paint, wallpaper and other coatings to decorate interior and exterior surfaces.
What will I be able to do
- Painter and decorator
- Painting trades worker
Plumbing
Whether you're looking to start an apprenticeship, upgrade your technical skills or become QBCC licensed, plumbing is a career that will take you places. Specialise in roof plumbing, gasfitting, drainage, and hydraulic services design or complete a range of industry licences.
What will I be able to do
- Drainer
- Gas fitter
- Hydraulic design consultant
- Plumber
- Roof plumber
Tiling, plastering and flooring
Whether you're looking to work as a floor finisher, plasterer or wall and floor tiler, we have the training you need to launch your trades career across both commercial and residential projects.
What will I be able to do
- Carpet layer
- Floor finisher
- Plasterer
- Roof tiler
- Wall and floor tiler
Engineering
Engineer your future for a hands-on career. From boiler making to welding, and fabrication to machining, choose to specialise your engineering skills across a range of areas.
What will I be able to do
- Boilermaker
- Caster/moulder
- Diesel fitter
- Draftsperson
- Fitter and turner
- Locksmith
- Machinist
- Patternmaker
- Sheetmetal worker
- Welder
- Engineering associate
Manufacturing and design
Combine hands-on skills with creativity to build a future in the design and manufacture of furniture, cabinetry, windows and doors.
What will I be able to do
- Cabinet maker
- CAD operator
- Furniture maker
- Furnishing worker
- Glazier
- Machining technician
- Upholsterer
- Wood machinist
Printing
Set yourself up for a career in printing or digital media design. The printing industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in Australia and offers a range of different career opportunities including pre-press technician, print machinist, and screen printer.
What will I be able to do
- Desktop publisher
- Digital print manager
- Pre-press technician
- Print finisher
- Print machinist
- Screen printer
Automotive electrical technology
A career in automotive electrical technology will provide you with the skills to maintain, test, diagnose and repair automotive electrical components and systems. You can also specialise in diagnostic, servicing, repair and maintenance roles.
What will I be able to do
- Accessory fitter
- Automotive air conditioning serviceperson
- Automotive electrical technician
- Automotive electrician
Heavy automotive industries
Open up a range of career options in the heavy automotive industry with practical, hands-on training. Choose from a range of specialisations including diesel fitting, mobile plant technology, cylinder head reconditioning, and more.
What will I be able to do
- Diesel mechanic
- Drivetrain repair technician
- Mobile plant technician
- Cylinder head reconditioner
Light automotive
Rev up your career with our comprehensive range of light automotive courses. From pre-apprenticeship programs through to apprenticeship and post-trade specialisations we've got the perfect fit.
What will I be able to do
- Light vehicle mechanic
- Vehicle serviceperson
- Underbody serviceperson
- Cylinder head reconditioner
Motorbike and bicycle mechanics
Turn your love of motorcycles into a rewarding career or start an exciting career traveling around the world as part of the road crew for a top bicyclist.
What will I be able to do
- Bicycle assembler
- Bicycle mechanic
- Race team mechanic
- Motorcycle mechanic
Safety
Develop or add to your existing skill set with our range of safety related courses. Get the qualifications you need to work as a safety observer, install security equipment, or work in hazardous areas.
What will I be able to do
- Electronic equipment technician (special class)
- Safety observer
- Security equipment tradesperson
- Security equipment installation technician
- Security equipment installation tradesperson
Bricklaying and stonemasonry
TAFE Queensland offers courses entry-level courses in both stonemasonry and bricklaying/blocklaying. As a fully-qualified brick or blocklayer you'll also have the opportunity to continue your training to becoming a registered builder, opening up opportunities to work as a sub-contractor or sole trader.
What will I be able to do
- Bricklayer
- Stonemason (monumental)
- Stonemason (restoration)
Building design
Help shape the future of Australia's infrastructure with a career in civil engineering. Or develop skills in computer-aided design to produce drawings and models for residential and small-scale commercial projects as a building designer.
What will I be able to do
- Building designer
- Design drafter
- Draftsperson
- Engineering surveyor
- Site supervisor
Carpentry and joinery
Our woodworking courses cover a number of trades including carpentry, furniture making, joinery, and shopfitting. Learn how to construct frames for walls and ceilings, make timber joints, assemble furniture components, or construct and install shopfronts.
What will I be able to do
- Cabinet maker
- Carpenter
- Joiner
- Shopfitter
Civil construction
Help shape the future of infrastructure with a career in civil construction. Choose to specialise in pipe laying, plant operations, road construction and maintenance, or civil engineering.
What will I be able to do
- Civil construction supervisor
- Pipe layer
- Plant operator
- Road construction worker
- Civil engineer
Building and construction
Learn hands on with one of our generalist building and construction courses or choose to specialise in waterproofing or estimating. We also offer advanced courses that will allow you to supervise on-site construction and apply for your builders licence in Queensland.
What will I be able to do
- Builder
- Construction manager
- Estimator
- Site supervisor
- Waterproofer
Painting and decorating
Open up career opportunities in both commercial and residential settings as a qualified painter and decorator. Learn how to prepare surfaces, match paint colours, and apply paint, wallpaper and other coatings to decorate interior and exterior surfaces.
What will I be able to do
- Painter and decorator
- Painting trades worker
Plumbing
Whether you're looking to start an apprenticeship, upgrade your technical skills or become QBCC licensed, plumbing is a career that will take you places. Specialise in roof plumbing, gasfitting, drainage, and hydraulic services design or complete a range of industry licences.
What will I be able to do
- Drainer
- Gas fitter
- Hydraulic design consultant
- Plumber
- Roof plumber
Tiling, plastering and flooring
Whether you're looking to work as a floor finisher, plasterer or wall and floor tiler, we have the training you need to launch your trades career across both commercial and residential projects.
What will I be able to do
- Carpet layer
- Floor finisher
- Plasterer
- Roof tiler
- Wall and floor tiler
Safety
Develop or add to your existing skill set with our range of safety related courses. Get the qualifications you need to work as a safety observer, install security equipment, or work in hazardous areas.
What will I be able to do
- Electronic equipment technician (special class)
- Safety observer
- Security equipment tradesperson
- Security equipment installation technician
- Security equipment installation tradesperson
Engineering
Engineer your future for a hands-on career. From boiler making to welding, and fabrication to machining, choose to specialise your engineering skills across a range of areas.
What will I be able to do
- Boilermaker
- Caster/moulder
- Diesel fitter
- Draftsperson
- Fitter and turner
- Locksmith
- Machinist
- Patternmaker
- Sheetmetal worker
- Welder
- Engineering associate
Manufacturing and design
Combine hands-on skills with creativity to build a future in the design and manufacture of furniture, cabinetry, windows and doors.
What will I be able to do
- Cabinet maker
- CAD operator
- Furniture maker
- Furnishing worker
- Glazier
- Machining technician
- Upholsterer
- Wood machinist
Printing
Set yourself up for a career in printing or digital media design. The printing industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in Australia and offers a range of different career opportunities including pre-press technician, print machinist, and screen printer.
What will I be able to do
- Desktop publisher
- Digital print manager
- Pre-press technician
- Print finisher
- Print machinist
- Screen printer
Air-conditioning and refrigeration
Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics install and repair industrial, commercial, and domestic air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Employment opportunities in refrigeration and air-conditioning maintenance are expected to remain solid with up to 25,000 jobs available over the next five years.
What will I be able to do
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration manager
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
- Air-conditioning and refrigeration supervisor
- Split air-conditioning and heat pump installer
Electrotechnology
Spark some life into your career with our range of electrotechnology courses. Develop further skills to specialises in automation, instrumentation, renewable energy, security, and telecommunications.
What will I be able to do
- Electrician
- Appliance service repair technician
- Instrumentation and control technician
- Renewable energy technical officer
- Telecommunications technician
Automotive electrical technology
A career in automotive electrical technology will provide you with the skills to maintain, test, diagnose and repair automotive electrical components and systems. You can also specialise in diagnostic, servicing, repair and maintenance roles.
What will I be able to do
- Accessory fitter
- Automotive air conditioning serviceperson
- Automotive electrical technician
- Automotive electrician
Heavy automotive industries
Open up a range of career options in the heavy automotive industry with practical, hands-on training. Choose from a range of specialisations including diesel fitting, mobile plant technology, cylinder head reconditioning, and more.
What will I be able to do
- Diesel mechanic
- Drivetrain repair technician
- Mobile plant technician
- Cylinder head reconditioner
Light automotive
Rev up your career with our comprehensive range of light automotive courses. From pre-apprenticeship programs through to apprenticeship and post-trade specialisations we've got the perfect fit.
What will I be able to do
- Light vehicle mechanic
- Vehicle serviceperson
- Underbody serviceperson
- Cylinder head reconditioner
About trades
Develop the practical skills to work across a wide range of trade areas and specialisations including electrotechnology and refrigeration, building and construction, engineering and manufacturing, automotive, and safety.
No matter what qualification you choose, at TAFE Queensland you will learn from experienced teachers using industry-standard equipment and technology in our purpose-built facilities. You’ll graduate with the skills you need to establish a rewarding career.
No matter what trades specialisation you're interested in, TAFE Queensland is the training provider to get you job ready.
Information for apprentices
Learn hands on with the same equipment and tools used in industry by combining working for your employer with pracitcal training from TAFE Queensland. You'll graduate with a nationally-recognised qualification and be ready to kick start your career.
Information for employers
Apprenticeships and traineeships are a smart way to recruit and train employees to meet the needs of your business. No matter what industry you're in, hiring an apprentice or trainee provides your business with real benefits and contributes to your bottom line.