Personalise my view
Now the founder of 2J’s Brew and Q Fab, a small family-run fabrication business in Lawnton, Josh spends his days building everything from commercial kitchens to heavy-duty gates. If it’s made of metal, chances are he and his team can build it.
“It’s bloody amazing,” he said.
“Lots of stress, but it’s all for us, and I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else.”
Josh’s passion for fabrication is matched by his commitment to training the next generation. He currently has one apprentice, Fraser, and is already planning to take on more.
“Fraser is an absolute gem of a man,” Josh said.
“He just showed an interest in wanting to do some metalwork, so I opened the doors. He loves coming to work, gets in, does the hard work, and it’s awesome.”
Second-year apprentice Fraser is thriving at 2J’s Brew and Q Fab, where hands-on learning brings engineering theory to life.
Josh completed his own apprenticeship through TAFE Queensland “about a million years ago,” and says the decision to send Fraser there was a no-brainer.
“I knew if I ever took on an apprentice, they’d go through TAFE Queensland,” he said.
“Look at me. If they can do that for Fraser, we’re happy days.”
Josh speaks highly of the training Fraser receives, particularly the balance between theory and hands-on learning.
“The quality of training TAFE Queensland provides is top shelf,” he explained.
“They’re nurturing him and building his confidence. We can give him all the hands-on stuff here, but TAFE gives him the time to sit at a desk and actually make sense of it all.”
Josh also praised the teaching staff at TAFE Queensland.
“Fraser has a lot of good things to say about his teachers – they’re making it easy for him.”
For Josh, one of the biggest benefits of partnering with TAFE Queensland is how seamless the process has been.
“All I had to do was inquire,” he said.
“I already had the man for the job, and TAFE Queensland took care of everything else. I just signed on the dotted line.”
He also encourages employers who are unsure about taking on an apprentice to give it a go.
“If they’re unsure, I’d definitely push other businesses towards TAFE Queensland for their apprentices,” Josh said.
“It’s growth for your business, it’s training up younger folk, and it just makes sense.”
Josh sees apprenticeships not just as a way to build skills, but as a way to preserve knowledge.
“It’s extremely important to pass our knowledge on to the next generation,” he said.
“Once that information is gone, it’s gone. There are lots of little tips and tricks you learn through experience. If I can hand them on and they can take it, let’s go.”
That mindset is shaping the future of 2J’s Brew and Q Fab. Josh has big goals for the business, and apprentices are a key part of that vision.
“I just want to build the coolest stuff for the coolest people with the coolest equipment,” said Josh.
“This is a beautiful little start, but moving forward, we’re going to be building some really cool stuff, and hopefully have a whole bunch of apprentices come through and get trained up.”
With expert teachers, industry-standard facilities, and a seamless sign-up process, TAFE Queensland is helping Josh do just that.