Lighting the way: Paul’s passion for teaching sparks bright futures

After more than a decade on the tools, a new calling emerged for Paul.

“I always had a desire to teach,” Paul said.

“When the opportunity came up, I took it, and I’ve never regretted a moment. I’ve loved every minute of it.”

Now an electrotechnology teacher at TAFE Queensland, Paul brings his industry experience and enthusiasm into the classroom every day. For him, the best part of the job is simple: the students.

“The curriculum comes and goes, but the students are the most important part,” he explained.

“One of the greatest privileges I have is taking a difficult concept and then seeing the light bulb moments when a student finally grasps it. That means everything to me, that’s so rewarding.”

Paul’s journey into teaching was sparked by his own mentors.

“I got into teaching because I was inspired by some of my teaching staff when I was an apprentice,” he said.

“I saw what they were able to achieve, how they made difficult concepts easy to understand, and I wanted to do that.”

That commitment to clarity and connection drives Paul’s approach today. He knows that learning doesn’t stop when class ends, so he and his colleagues go the extra mile to support students.

“We offer tutorials and additional classes outside of normal hours – lunchtime, after work, after class,” Paul explained.

“We’re journeying with them. We’re partnering with them for their future.”

Staying connected to industry is a cornerstone of TAFE Queensland’s approach and Paul takes that responsibility seriously.

“I need to stay industry current for my students,” he said.

“It’s no good teaching something that no longer exists. So we go into industry twice a year to make sure we’re up to date and delivering current knowledge and skills.”

That’s more important than ever as the electrical industry evolves.

“There are big changes happening with the push to renewables,” continued Paul.

“We’re heading towards a green future for Queenslanders and we’re at the cutting edge of that.”

TAFE Queensland backs this commitment with significant investment in facilities and equipment.

“We’re constantly updating the tools and equipment we use to teach apprentices, the overall product we deliver is top notch.” Paul said.

For Paul, TAFE Queensland’s difference is clear: it’s all about the student experience.

“Industry chooses to send their apprentices to TAFE Queensland because they recognise the quality of the training,” he said.

“But it’s not only about the quality of the training, it’s about the quality of the people who deliver it. Industry knows we’re partnering with them so they end up with a quality apprentice.”

Flexibility is another key advantage. TAFE Queensland offers multiple delivery options, including block release, one day a week, and flexible arrangements tailored to employer needs.

“One of the biggest myths is that we only offer block delivery,” Paul explained.

“That’s not true. We can work with the employer to find a flexible option that meets their needs.”

If you’re thinking about a career in the electrical industry, Paul has one piece of advice: go for it.

“It’s a great industry to be a part of,” he said.

“I’ve never regretted a moment. If I was starting out today, my number one option would be TAFE Queensland—because of the quality of the training, the quality of the teachers, and the quality of the curriculum.”