Edwin one of hundreds benefitting from CQU’s TAFE training
By Greg Chapman
With National Skills Week in full swing, Edwin Jr Bartido is just one of hundreds of apprentices and trainees CQUniversity is helping pursue their dream careers.
National Skills Week (24-30 August), aims to raise the status of skills and vocational learning, enabling all Australians to gain a greater understanding of the opportunities, their potential, and how they can contribute to a successful, modern economy.
CQUniversity TAFE delivers Certificate and Diploma-level courses to hundreds of students, in many vital areas including Nursing, Community Services, Trades, Education and Visual Arts to name a few.
Edwin is just one of students. As an apprentice mechanic for Central Highlands Toyota he travels regularly to Rockhampton to undertake his block training via a Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology.
He said his interest in becoming a mechanic was fostered by his family.
“Having a bit of family mechanic background and the interest and love that we share in looking after vehicles, especially that these are a part of our day-to-day journey,” he said.
Edwin said he enjoyed the training he received at CQU TAFE Rockhampton.
“It’s a great learning experience with a very knowledgeable teacher,” he said.
CQU’s dedication to vocational education as Central Queensland’s regional training provider was recognised in 2025 when the University won the Large Training Provider of the Year at the State Final of the Queensland Training Awards, alongside Metal Fabrication Teacher Andrew Abbas who was named VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.
Just recently another student, Shannyn Bonerath was named Equity Student of the Year at the 2026 Central Queensland Regional Training Awards.
Subsidies are available for eligible students reduce the cost of vocational courses to low or free tuition fees, reducing the amount of money they need to pay.
