Mick helps TAFE at School students build skills and a sense of community

However, it’s not just the students benefiting from Mick’s significant and varied work history – the work these students produce throughout the year is regularly donated to local community organisations and efforts, such as nursing homes and fundraisers. 

“We all love Mick – he’s a great teacher – he always helps us with everything – and is a great guy,” Riley Hermann said of Mick during his time as a high school student completing Certificate I in Construction (CPC10120), at Kingaroy. 

It’s a common sentiment expressed by Mick’s students. Mick is often future tradespeople’s first introduction to working with their hands, and his passion for getting out there and ‘making something’ – like the ‘Jack ‘n’ Jill chairs’ his construction students donate to their local communities at the end of their course – is unequivocally infectious.

Mick began his career as an apprentice bridge carpenter with Queensland Rail, reaching the level of first-class railway bridge carpenter on timber, steel and concrete bridges and working on platforms, cattleyards and culverts.  

Mick is also a qualified welder, is licensed to drive heavy machinery, and a certified occupational health and construction safety officer, with extensive experience as a Trainer Assessor for Queensland Rail, combining training and safety on major rail projects across Queensland. This role saw him managing safety for up to 1,500 workers on site, achieving industry-leading safety records. 

Prior to introducing students to construction and carpentry, Mick was developing and teaching rail infrastructure courses at TAFE Queensland’s Acacia Ridge campus, which included a specialised training project delivered in a partnership between Queensland Rail and TAFE Queensland. 

Now in his role mentoring TAFE at School students, Mick is equipping the cohort with work-ready skills while highlighting the value of giving back. 

“Recently, our Certificate I in Construction (CPC10120) students at the Toowoomba campus raised money for LifeFlight by auctioning a ‘Jack ‘n’ Jill chair’ and coffee table combination at a fundraising event in Kingaroy,” said Scott. 

“Every year, one of our TAFE at School groups at either Nurunderi, Kingaroy or Toowoomba work together to create, and donate, a seat, chair or coffee table to community groups.”

Reflecting on the benefits of pursuing a trade, Mick encourages others to consider the opportunities it can provide. 

“My advice to anyone is to definitely try a trade – take advantage of the opportunity. It gives you good grounding if you want to pack up and go overseas and get a job as a carpenter or a sparky or a mechanic – anywhere in the world, you know,” Mick said.

“Same as hairdressing – it’s a trade – you can get a job everywhere.” 

“It helps you to build your own wealth of knowledge as a young person starting in their career. A trade career can give you an opportunity to buy your first car and also help to buy your first home.”

Mick lives out in the bush, north of Kingaroy, on a five-acre property, enjoying the quieter lifestyle in the later part of life. However, with twelve grandchildren and his work with TAFE Queensland – which also sees him volunteer his time to put students in touch with local employers – ‘Tools down!’ doesn’t sound like something Mick will be doing anytime soon.