From job sites to stadiums: Mathew is building towards Brisbane 2032
For aspiring carpenter Mathew Bowart, choosing a trade wasn't just about finding a job. It was about backing himself, building a future, and creating opportunities that could last a lifetime.
Now completing his Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30220) apprenticeship at TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech's Bracken Ridge campus, Mathew is gaining the practical skills and industry experience needed to turn his passion for construction into a long-term career that has some big-ticket goals he wants to kick.
Growing up on Brisbane's north side, Mathew spent much of his childhood around the building industry.
"My dad was a builder himself. I remember he renovated two or three houses growing up and I was basically living on a job site and helping him out," he said.
"I've always been a learning-with-my-hands sort of person."
After leaving school, Mathew explored different career options, including an electrical apprenticeship, before realising construction was where he truly belonged.
"I knew that trade wasn't for me and being around building and construction, that was something I wanted to pursue," he said.
"I love seeing a job start to finish and having that achievement feeling from it."
For Mathew, one of the biggest advantages of studying at the Bracken Ridge campus is the flexible, practical approach to training.
"The Flexi Program works really well because it is self-paced learning. And I don’t want to diss anyone out there when I say this, it's also just not death by PowerPoint or death by whiteboard," Mathew said with a grin.
The flexibility allows apprentices to complete theory at their own pace before spending more time developing practical skills in the workshop.
"Once I get my theory knocked out, I can go down to the floor and do a lot more practical stuff, and the teacher is always there for support."
That support has been a standout feature of Mathew's training experience.
"There's so many teachers and they're very knowledgeable," he said. "They've got 10 or 20 plus years of experience in the trade industry. Pretty much anything you ask them, they've always got an answer."
Living north side, Mathew says having access to training at Bracken Ridge has made a significant difference to both his study experience and work-life balance.
"It's 20 minutes away, which is awesome," he said. "A lot of people from the north side would otherwise have to travel across the river for training, but having the Bracken Ridge campus delivering here makes it so much easier."
As someone who regularly starts work before sunrise and spends long days on site, being able to train locally means more time for study, family and life outside work.
"It's something you actually look forward to coming to because you've got more time in the morning and more balance at the end of the day."
The campus also provides a welcoming environment where apprentices can learn alongside like-minded people from across the trades.
"You feel welcomed. You feel like you belong here," Mathew said. "Everyone knows the Bracken Ridge campus around this area. It's a real part of the community."
With Brisbane preparing to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Mathew can already see the opportunities ahead for tradespeople.
Currently working in commercial construction, he believes the Games will help create a lasting legacy for Queensland's building industry.
"The workload Brisbane is doing at the moment is huge," he said. "It's definitely an opportunity for not only carpenters, but for Brisbane and the state of Queensland to have a name for itself on the world stage."
For Mathew, the prospect of contributing to major infrastructure projects is a source of motivation.
"To go from building houses to hopefully one day being involved with building a stadium is incredible," he said.
"It's that progression through construction that makes you think, 'This is where I want to get to. This is where I can be."
Mathew encourages young people considering a trade to think beyond the next few years and focus on the long-term opportunities available.
"It's years of hard work, but you get life skills out of it," he said. "People used to overlook apprenticeships, but there's so much opportunity nowadays."
His ultimate goal is to run his own construction business and build a reputation based on quality work and strong relationships.
"I just want to be known as a great person who does great work for Queenslanders," he said.
"TAFE Queensland gives you skills, confidence and connections. You don't know where those relationships are going to take you in 10 years' time."
For Mathew, the future is full of possibilities, and he's already laying the foundations.
"Something I heard that’s stuck with me is - If you can't afford a house, learn how to build one," he said.
It's a simple message, but one that perfectly reflects the opportunities available through a trade career: learn practical skills, back yourself, and build something great.