Helping drive the next generation of manufacturing talent

Bryce started with Maryborough firm Allweld Manufacturing as a 15-year-old and has progressed from apprentice to team leader, reflecting the company’s strong investment in apprentices, mentoring and regional workforce development.

Allweld has seen Bryce emerge as a natural leader, recognised not only for his technical ability but also for the way he supports and guides others on the workshop floor.

Allweld Human Resources Manager Gemma MacDonald said Bryce had stood out early as someone with the potential to lead.

“Bryce started out like any other apprentice, but he had a presence that people are drawn to,” Gemma said. “At any time during the day, you will see apprentices and team members gravitating towards him because he is a great mentor and leads by example.”

Now that he has completed his apprenticeship, Bryce has stepped into a team leader role in Allweld’s transporter team.

“I help design, build and coordinate the team. It is great seeing something you have designed in your head become a reality.”

TAFE Queensland is proud to be leading five projects funded by the Queensland Government’s Regional Economic Futures Fund (REFF), with Bryce playing a key role in one of them.

Allweld is designing and building the Mobile Renewable Energy Training Facility (MRETF) in Maryborough, and Bryce is helping deliver a complex build that showcases both advanced fabrication and the strength of local skills training.

The mobile facility includes bespoke technologies and equipment to deliver training and education in support of Queensland’s growing renewable energy industry in regional areas.

“Working on the mobile transporter has been a big job because there is so much going into it, including features we have not built before.

“It’s a semi-trailer with an eight-metre wall that pops out. It has ramps, so it is wheelchair accessible. There is a lot of research and development going into the project, but it is interesting."

Bryce’s passion and hands-on experience in building race cars and trailers have helped shape the practical skills and problem-solving mindset he brings to the job.

In his spare time, he drives for his family’s Bayfield Racing speedway team and competes around the state.

“I started driving and racing from an early age and spent a lot of time in the shed with Dad building cars,” Bryce said.

“Dad is a boilermaker and mechanic by trade, so I learnt a lot from him, especially the pride that comes with doing a job properly and making sure it looks good,” Bryce said.

Bryce earned a Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade (Sheetmetal working MEM31922) at TAFE Queensland Hervey Bay campus and was recently named TAFE Queensland’s Apprentice of the Year in Technology and Manufacturing for the Fraser Coast region.

Gemma said Bryce’s story reflected the type of career pathway Allweld is working hard to create as the family-run business expands its operations and workforce.

“When your business is growing quickly and staff numbers are increasing, you need well-trained people on the tools who can deliver,” Gemma said.

“We take a lot of pride in seeing our people grow, be recognised and step into bigger opportunities.”

Allweld is one of the largest employers in the Wide Bay region and continues to grow on the back of new contracts, including work to manufacture Queensland rural fire trucks and ambulances and other specialised transporter builds.

Gemma said Allweld’s apprenticeship model is built on opportunity, support and culture.

“Allweld has trained dozens of apprentices through TAFE Queensland, which has been instrumental in helping the business develop skilled young tradespeople ready for long-term careers in manufacturing.

“TAFE Queensland is supportive. They collaborate with us to make sure training meets the needs of both the apprentice and the business,” she said.

“It makes it easier to train people well and help them grow. We are injecting young talent into the business, and that is important for our future.”