Charlotte builds a career with the support to thrive

After finishing high school, Charlotte enrolled in university but soon realised she needed time to reassess her career direction.

“I picked a degree that I wasn’t entirely sure about,” Charlotte said.

“I did really enjoy the study, but when I went to my first prac, I thought perhaps I’d like a year off to work out what I actually really wanted to do.”

Determined to keep learning while gaining real‑world experience, Charlotte searched for an opportunity that would allow her to work and study at the same time and discovered a traineeship with TAFE Queensland.

“It included a traineeship so I could earn some money as well as study and try out a new industry,” she said.

“That, combined with secure employment, was pretty appealing.”

Charlotte began her career as a trainee at what was then the Bremer Institute of TAFE, studying alongside colleagues at the Ipswich campus and learning from experienced educators and mentors.

TAFE Queensland’s educators consistently return to industry to keep their skills and knowledge current, collaborating closely with industry to ensure training remains contemporary — an approach Charlotte says made a significant difference.

“I had some people around me that were new to the business just like I was, some really good mentors and managers, and some great teachers from TAFE Queensland guiding me on the study journey,” she said.

While initially unsure whether she would return to university, Charlotte quickly found her place within the organisation. When a permanent opportunity arose, she embraced it.

“I really enjoyed my time working with TAFE and doing the traineeship,” she said.

“When an opportunity came up to apply for a permanent role as a Customer Service Officer, I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Working directly with students became a pivotal experience.

“Hearing directly from students every day about what helps them decide to study, or what might make them hesitate, gave me really valuable insight into the potential of TAFE,” Charlotte said.

From there, Charlotte’s career continued to evolve. By showing initiative and a genuine curiosity about how the organisation operates, she progressed through a diverse range of roles, including team leadership, coordinating Recognition of Prior Learning, managing administration hubs, working within the Educational Planning team, and leading student‑focused projects at both regional and state levels.

“At TAFE Queensland, if you work hard and actually care about what you’re doing, you genuinely get opportunities to try lots of different things,” she said.

Charlotte has since contributed to a national TAFE Centre of Excellence, supported business development initiatives, and stepped into senior leadership roles focused on student outcomes and service delivery.

In 2026, Charlotte reached a significant milestone when she progressed to Acting Director, Customer and Student Experience for TAFE Queensland’s Darling Downs and South West Region, where she now leads strategic initiatives supporting students, educators and employers across the region.

“There’s certainly never a dull moment,” Charlotte said.

“It’s a space where you can genuinely make a difference to what happens for our students every day.”

Charlotte says one of the greatest benefits of working at TAFE Queensland is its strong sense of purpose and inclusive, values‑driven culture grounded in safety first, focusing on the customer, showing initiative, working together and taking responsibility.

“We’re here to support students and communities,” she said.

“That’s a very easy purpose to get behind.”

She also credits the organisation’s flexibility and wellbeing focus for enabling her to grow both professionally and personally.

“I was really young when I started at TAFE, and I’ve since got married and had two little children,” she said.

“TAFE gave me the opportunity to take time with my children, return part time, job share, and gradually move back to full‑time work while still being a present mum.”

For Charlotte, TAFE Queensland is a workplace that genuinely values people, supported by initiatives such as the Equity and Diversity Action Plan and networks that ensure everyone feels recognised and supported.

“I never felt my age, my role, or my personal circumstances were a barrier,” she said.

“What’s valued is people who take responsibility, give things a go, and care about what they do.”

Looking back, Charlotte says choosing a traineeship with TAFE Queensland gave her far more than a job.

“It’s provided secure employment, career variety, leadership opportunities and a culture that genuinely supports people,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful place to work and it’s set a very high benchmark for me.”