Career Tasters helping students like Tobey take the wheel of their future
For Tobey Baker, Year 10 student at Australian Christian College, a passion for motorsport inspired him to explore the automotive industry, but it was TAFE Queensland's (RTO 0275) Career Tasters that gave him the confidence to see where that passion could take him.
Over the past eight weeks, Tobey has been participating in the Vehicle Trades Career Taster at the Acacia Ridge campus, a fully funded initiative designed to help Queensland Year 10 students explore future careers through hands-on learning while still at school. The experience gives students the opportunity to test drive different industries, build practical skills, and make more informed decisions about their future.
"I chose automotive because I do racing myself and I wanted to learn more about mechanics," Tobey said.
Throughout the Career Taster, Tobey gained practical experience in a real workshop environment, learning how vehicles operate, exploring emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, and working with industry-standard tools and equipment.
"My biggest highlights was dismantling and rebuilding an engine."
The experience also strengthened his confidence.
"My confidence before coming was probably around 30 per cent, and now it's jumped to around 70 per cent," he said.
For Tobey, the supportive learning environment and industry-experienced teachers made a lasting impression.
"The teachers have been amazing. I really like how friendly they are. They're more relatable, and they help you step-by-step through the practical activities," he said.
TAFE at School Coordinator Britni Grayson said Career Tasters are helping young people discover pathways they may never have previously considered.
"Career Tasters give students the opportunity to explore industries, develop confidence, and gain hands-on experience before making important decisions about their future studies and careers," Britni said.
"We know students learn in different ways, and programs like this allow them to experience practical training, connect with industry, and discover what excites them."
Britni said seeing young students engage with vocational education is also an investment in Queensland's future workforce.
"These students are the next generation of tradespeople, technicians and industry professionals. Their presence on campus today is helping build the skilled workforce Queensland will need tomorrow."
For students considering their own future pathway, Tobey's advice is simple.
"Just give it a shot, because it's better than you think it is."
Career Tasters is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and Queensland Government.