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A qualified painter and decorator, he wasn’t looking for a change until a long-time friend offered him an unexpected opportunity, an engineering apprenticeship.
“I’d never really been interested in metalwork before,” Fraser said.
“But Josh offered me the position and it all just exploded from there. He’s the reason I’m here.”
Now in his second year of an engineering apprenticeship at 2J’s Brew and Q Fab, Fraser is thriving in a hands-on learning environment that blends theory with immediate practical application.
“You learn it and then you’re doing it straight away,” he said.
“There’s no waiting — you’re just straight in.”
Fraser’s training at TAFE Queensland has opened up a world of new experiences. From wielding industry-standard tools to working alongside passionate teachers, he’s gaining the skills and confidence to succeed in a fast-paced industry.
“The teachers have been amazing,” he said.
“They’re all ex-industry, so they’ve got the knowledge and the passion. They’ve taken time out of their day — even their lunch breaks — to help me one-on-one.”
Engineering teacher Steve shares real-world insights with apprentice Fraser.
His classes typically include both a theory component and a practical session in the workshop, where students get hands-on with welding, hand tools, and heavy machinery.
“The facilities at the Bracken Ridge campus are great,” Fraser said.
“We’ve got individual welding bays, big workspaces, and all the equipment you’d expect in a professional workshop."
For Fraser, the real value of his training lies in its relevance to the job site.
“TAFE Queensland’s training compares really well to working on site,” he said.
“You’re learning from people who’ve been there, done that. They’re passing on their skills to the next generation.”
That real-world connection is helping Fraser prepare for the demands of industry.
“It gets you used to working around different people and personalities,” he continued.
“It helps you get in the zone, used to the machinery, and talking to like-minded people.”
Despite the challenges, Fraser finds the work deeply rewarding.
“There’s a lot of cool stuff you get to make and interesting people you get to work with,” he said.
“It’s a really rewarding place to work, and so much fun.”
His advice to others considering a trade?
“If somebody was interested in getting into this industry, I would definitely recommend it,” Fraser said.
“It’s definitely never too late to start something new and follow something that you’re passionate about. TAFE Queensland is a great place to start.”