"Instrumental to my career progression."

For Project Manager at Bridgeman – a leading Australian construction and metalworks manufacturer headquartered in Queensland – Rob Cunningham, there is no question about the impact of his TAFE Queensland apprenticeship on his career.

Having moved up through the ranks of the engineering industry following his completion of a Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal) (MEM31922) in 2016, Rob now draws on the technical knowledge he learned at TAFE Queensland’s Eagle Farm campus daily to plan and manage projects and coordinate team members’ individual and joint outputs.

Overseeing projects at one of the largest employers of apprentices in Queensland’s metal manufacturing industry – with 17 apprentices currently in-training across various qualifications – Rob credits his career progression to the quality of his training.

“The practical, hands-on approach and the structured learning environment made it a great place to build skills,” Mr Cunningham said.

“The course was great because of the supportive and experienced teachers, the flexibility of the program, and the access to up-to-date tools and equipment.”

“The emphasis on practical skills gave me confidence in my trade and prepared me for real-world challenges. The supportive learning environment helped me grow both professionally and personally.”

Rob Cunningham in the workplace at Bridgeman.

“My TAFE training has been instrumental to my career progression. The technical knowledge I gained during my studies has given me a strong understanding of fabrication processes, which I draw on daily when planning, managing projects, and coordinating the team. It has been a key part of my professional development and success,” he said.

As a business, Bridgeman is committed to developing the next generation of its industry’s workers, creating the Bridgeman Futures Program in 2023 in partnership with TAFE Queensland to address the issue of labour shortages in the metal manufacturing and construction industries.

Chief Executive Officer at Bridgeman Scott Summers said the success of the program was demonstrated by apprenticeship graduates that could contribute to senior leadership roles within the company in future years.

“It is very satisfying to see the growth of apprentices as they go through their journey with TAFE Queensland and develop further into tradespeople and then progress into senior roles within our company,” Mr Summers said.