Jonathan brings engineering industry insight and mentorship to Roma
For Jonathan Bechaz, engineering is about more than learning the technical skills of a trade. It is about understanding responsibility, safety, confidence, and the kind of workplace culture that supports young people to succeed.
Now based at TAFE Queensland’s Roma campus, Jonathan Bechaz is using his experience in aerospace machining, manufacturing, and a wide range of trade roles to help guide the next generation of engineering tradespeople.
“I wanted to be a new face that students can relate to,” Jonathan said.
“I understand what they’re going through. For the apprentices that I’ve taught so far, I’ve seen what they’ve been through and I wanted to make it better and easier, and make learning the engineering trade more enjoyable.”
Before joining TAFE Queensland, Jonathan worked as an aerospace machinist for around nine years, with experience across high-end manufacturing and production systems.
His background includes work connected to military and medical aerospace projects, including Boeing Defence Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Royal Flying Doctor Service, LifeFlight, and other emergency medical services.
That experience has shaped the way he approaches teaching. In aerospace, Jonathan said precision, processes, and accountability were essential, with every part and piece of paperwork needing to be correct.
It’s a mindset he hopes to bring into the workshop, helping students understand that quality and safety matter long after a job is complete.
“In the world of aerospace machining, I’m very much of the view that it has to be right. There’s no ‘it’ll be right’. It has to be right,” he said.
For Jonathan, mentorship also means helping students understand their rights, their options, and the bigger picture of working life. Having experienced a wide range of workplaces throughout his career, he said he wants to help young people recognise what a safe and supportive work should look like.
“I’m committed to helping apprentices understand what a safe workplace looks like and giving them the confidence to speak up when something doesn’t seem right,” Jonathan said.
He also wants students to understand that a successful trade career should not come at the expense of their wellbeing.
After periods of long working days in previous roles, Jonathan said he now values the importance of work-life balance and wants to pass that perspective on to students.
“At the end of the day, I know now that I would rather a life than just be working very long hours all the time,” he said.
That broader life experience is one of the things Jonathan believes helps him connect with students. Having moved many times, worked in different environments, and met people from all walks of life, he said he can offer students support that goes beyond trade skills alone.
“My experiences have given me an insight that helps me connect with students and support them beyond the trade itself,” he said.
“I’ve worked in a variety of roles, met people from all walks of life and moved around quite a bit, so I can often help students work through challenges and stay focused on their goals.”
At the Roma campus, Jonathan delivers engineering training including Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (MEM30219) and Certificate II in Engineering Pathways (MEM20422) via TAFE at School, with a focus on fitting, machining, and engineering pathways.
While he is still completing aspects of his Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) and RPL process, through TAFE Queensland’s Foundation Educator Program, Jonathan said he is already focused on bringing an aerospace-standard approach to workshop organisation, efficiency, care, and attention to detail.
He is also passionate about the future of Australian manufacturing and the importance of passing on industry knowledge before it is lost.
“That’s why I wanted to become a teacher, so I could drive that change and make it fun and enjoyable for the next generation,” he said.
Passionate about both teaching and regional Queensland, Jonathan said one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is helping local students build successful careers while contributing to the future of the Maranoa region.
“Working in Roma gives me the opportunity to support local people and help shape the region’s future workforce,” he said.
“Living here means I get to be part of that community every day, which is incredibly rewarding. I love living in Roma.”
Through his teaching, Jonathan continues to share his industry knowledge, industry standards and life experience, helping apprentices develop not only their trade skills but also the confidence to succeed in the workplace and beyond.