Broncos try on careers at TAFE Queensland

Nine players have experienced a day in the life of a student in industries from automotive mechanics to hairdressing.

Heading to flagship campuses in South Bank and Acacia Ridge, players including Xavier Willison, Tara McGrath-West, and Coby Black engaged in a mix of theory and practical learning with experienced teachers, delivering personal training workouts, styling and cutting hair, servicing TAFE Queensland’s race ute, and erecting roof rafters to get a taste for different careers.

Xavier Willison enjoyed his taste of student life on South Bank campus, saying that future careers are important considerations for professional athletes.

“Especially because footy isn’t forever, to find something to do in life after footy is very important,” Willison said.

Meanwhile, Tyson Smoothy came away with a new respect for the intricate skills required of hairdressing apprentices, enjoying trying new skills and having fun with teammates.

“My favourite part at TAFE Queensland was the skills of hairdressing. It’s something they make look easy, but you’ve got to get used to it, having a steady hand and things like that,” Smoothy said.

Tara McGrath-West was amazed by the intricacies of a mechanic’s workday when completing a basic service on TAFE Queensland’s race ute with clubmates Mele Hufanga and Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala under the tutelage of experienced automotive teachers.

“You hear about what needs to be done, but to actually see it firsthand was really interesting,” McGrath-West said.

“The part that really surprised me was the big checklist you have to go through. I know it’s pretty extensive, what a mechanic needs to do, but seeing the actual list was surprising in how complex it was,” she said.

Finally, it was the young guns’ turn, with Colby Black, Cameron Bukowski, and Israel Leota experiencing carpentry apprenticeship training, working together to erect skillion roof rafters with an experienced TAFE Queensland teacher.

“I’m very fresh to this side of stuff to be completely honest, and not very hands-on myself, so seeing everything firsthand was pretty cool,” Black said.

“I was nervous towards the start and a bit anxious, but it was really fun by the end … Our teacher was really good, really supportive with me and helping loosen me up,” he said.

TAFE Queensland is the Official Training Provider of the Brisbane Broncos, with the partnership reflecting the commitment of both organisations to delivering life-changing training and skills and creating new career opportunities for people throughout Queensland’s regional communities.

The partnership also includes a bespoke joint training program to build off-field talent, the Brisbane Broncos Sports Business Institute, and delivery of the Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy to support community needs.