It all ‘boils down’ to experience for Joel

“I’ve always wanted to teach my trade and I believe that TAFE Queensland is the pinnacle for trade learning,” explained Joel.

Based at the Roma campus, Joel will support the delivery of the Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (MEM31922) course for local apprentices.

Seeking a tree change, Joel moved from Brisbane to the Maranoa Region more than two years ago. He discovered TAFE Queensland’s unique Foundation Educator Program after seeing an employment advert for a teaching role and after researching the program further, he realised it was exactly what he was looking for and applied.

“The Foundation Educator Program is designed to bring industry professionals into the VET sector and enable them to study and achieve the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) while working at TAFE Queensland,” Joel explained.

“I was already actively seeking to pursue the training and assessment qualification and I aspired to work with TAFE Queensland, so I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to have this pathway.”

“It enables me to achieve my qualification — but also secures my future teaching career within the industry I love,” he said.

Years prior, Joel kick-started his career in the industry with a fabrication apprenticeship. His long-term goal was to work on large mining equipment. 

“I originally got into the boiler making trade as I have a passion for engineering and 'making things',” Joel shared.

“I always wanted to work on a mine site with big plant and machinery. I always had a dream to work on huge equipment. So, I did an apprenticeship and was fortunate enough to make that happen and work on a variety of fixed plant and mobile machinery,” he said.  

Boilermaking and welding tradespeople are responsible for interpreting design plans, selecting appropriate materials, and using welding and fabrication techniques to construct and repair metal structures and equipment. 

“Being a boilermaker means we typically do a wide variety of roles surrounding metal fabrication, engineering and predominantly welding,” Joel explained.

“Sometimes I just tell people ‘I'm a welder’ as there is more of an understanding about this aspect — however for the last few years I have spent time in workshops, and in fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) roles to mines and plants throughout Australia and overseas.”

“I’ve worked with companies that specialise in acid plant maintenance, boilers, pressure vessels and pipe work.”  

“We would perform ‘typical’ metal fabrication and welding jobs, as well as jobs like entering live sulphuric acid vessels in encapsulated suits, right through to major remedial repairs on tanks, varying from two metres in diameter up to 60 metres,” Joel shared.

“My roles have been varied. Some jobs I would be in the nitty gritty, getting dirty with the crew, and other times I would be supervising or acting as a Health and Safety and Environment (HSE) officer, ensuring that we performed work safely and went home safe.”  

“While there can be more dangerous aspects to the industry, there is an interesting variety — so if someone ever describes themselves as a ‘Boily’ (Boilermaker) this usually means they have been welding,” said Joel.

These days, Joel’s new role as an educator involves guiding and mentoring tradies-in-training on campus or in the workplace.

“The best thing about working with TAFE Queensland is knowing that I’ll be able to impart my passion for my trade to new learners, and that I can also keep on learning more about the future of the industry,” Joel said.

Joel’s already managed some of the former, referencing a demonstration he recently gave.

“The most memorable moment so far has been performing a welding demonstration to some apprentices and discussing with them how we analyse problems whilst welding,” Joel explained.

In addition to the demonstrations, Joel’s average workdays are filled with valuable learning experiences—observing and gaining insights from experienced teachers as they engage with students, while also becoming proficient in navigating Learning Management systems and platforms to engage with students.

As Joel progresses through each stage of the Foundation Educator Program his classroom responsibilities increase, supported by a dedicated supervisor and mentor, who is also responsible for observing and ‘signing’ off on his demonstrated teaching competencies.

One of TAFE Queensland’s core values is the concept of ‘working together’, and Joel has experienced this supportive culture firsthand during his initial months in the role 

“Everyone is more than happy to help as best they can with anything. It’s great to know that I'm not alone when starting out and that I can ask literally anyone for help,” Joel said.