Broncos players get hands-on with trade skills through TAFE Queensland partnership

As part of the recent partnership, players attended a tailored training session at TAFE Queensland’s Bracken Ridge campus, rotating through a series of workshops in plumbing, construction, light automotive, and garden maintenance.

The initiative was designed to give players exposure to different trades while reinforcing the importance of education and training alongside their sporting commitments.

Learning by doing

Across the afternoon, players rolled up their sleeves and got hands-on with activities led by TAFE Queensland’s expert educators and business managers:

• Plumbing – reseating taps, toilet and cistern maintenance, clearing blocked drains, and basic gutter upkeep with Mark Robertson.
• Construction – wall framing, repairing and painting gyprock, and installing gyprock sheets with Mark Wann and David Rice.
• Light Automotive – essential vehicle maintenance and a discussion on petrol, diesel, hybrid and EV systems with Nathan Yeark.
• Outdoor Power Equipment & Garden Maintenance – whipper snipper and lawn mower maintenance with Scott Lewis and teacher John Oshea.

Preparing for life beyond sport

TAFE Queensland Skillstech General Manager Stephen Gates said the workshops were about more than just learning skills.

“These sessions give players the confidence to try something new and see first-hand the career opportunities available in the trades. It’s about opening their eyes to pathways they may not have considered before.”

Broncos representatives said the program was a valuable addition to the club’s player development agenda, ensuring athletes have every opportunity to build skills for life after football.

Build your own pathway in sport

The collaboration with the Brisbane Broncos is part of TAFE Queensland’s broader commitment to supporting Queensland’s sporting organisations with flexible education and training solutions.

As the official education partner of the Brisbane Broncos, TAFE Queensland also offers students an immersive opportunity to study a Dual Diploma of Sport and Leadership and Management (SIS50321/BSB50420) which aims to provide the skills, knowledge, and connections to launch a career in the sports industry.

TAFE Queensland Academy of Sport Manager Don Harley said partnerships like this deliver benefits for both athletes and industry.

“By bringing together elite sport and education, we can support players to achieve on the field today, while also setting them up for sustainable career success long into the future.”

Applications are now open for Term 1, 2026 for the Brisbane Broncos program.

Students will study two days per week, face to face, at the club’s elite training headquarters in Red Hill. As part of the program, they’ll also have the opportunity to complete up to 100 hours of work integrated learning across various areas of the Broncos’ business - allowing them to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings and gain firsthand experience in the sporting industry.