Guess what? You don’t have to go to uni to become an engineer!
Engineering is a super popular VET pathway, giving you hands-on and practical skills you can take straight into the workplace. Just take a look at the stories below. These engineers are thriving in all different engineering career areas thanks to the qualifications they nabbed at TAFE.
Below we showcase just a few STEM stars who love the job they do and who got there thanks to their VET qualification.
#1 Maintenance supervisor Donna Stace
VET qualification: Mechanical Engineering Trade Certificate
Donna is a WA-based qualified fitter and machinist is a formally trained mechanical engineer whose held a variety of exciting roles in the mining, oil and gas and construction industries, despite not going down the traditional university route.
#2 Apprentice marine technician Braden Hellmuth
VET qualification: Certificate IV in Engineering (Fluid Power)
Braden is employed at Greensill Farming as head of engineering, automation and technology.
“A day in my life is always different,” he says. “One day it’s fixing the hydraulics on a machine, the next it’s soldering circuit boards, or maybe it’s a day in the office. That’s one of the great things about being in a dynamic industry and business.”
#3 Engineering Support Workshop Manager Bianca Shepherd
VET qualification: Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering
As an engineering support workshop manager at ANSTO, Bianca manages the operation of the workshop facility to make sure all requirements are met.
This includes working with engineering teams to understand the scope of upcoming projects, organising materials and resources needed for manufacturing, quality checks, and sometimes even installing and maintaining parts onsite.
Read more about her 9-5 gig in engineering.
#4 Metal fabricator Lachlan Butler
VET qualification: Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade)
Lachlan scored his current gig at BOSS Agriculture after proving himself invaluable during his apprenticeship there.
Now, he spends his weekdays working with steel to produce agricultural machinery such as air seeders for farms, which requires him to be practical, mathematical and creative.
“The idea of both creativity and problem-solving excites me,” he says of his role. “I get to experience such a variety of different work in such a positive workplace!”
Find out more about his VET pathway.
#5 Engineering Trades Teacher Melinda Jeffrey
VET qualification: Certificate IV in Engineering
Melinda Jeffery wasn’t keen on uni so she chose a vocational pathway and became a star apprentice instead.
One day she got a call from a past TAFE teacher, inviting her to consider an engineering + education career path. She gave it a go and now she’s an engineering trades teacher who loves her job!
Learn more about Melinda’s study + career path.
Learn more about VET engineering pathways by exploring the stories below:
- What is VET?
- Meet three people who got the job they love with a VET qualification
- A-Z of VET careers
- 7 benefits of studying engineering via VET
Keep up-to-date on all things STEM + VET pathways by signing up to the Careers with STEM newsletter.
Main image via National Careers Institute
