Engineering Cadetships

As an aspiring Engineer, you'll benefit from a structured work-study program that allows you to gain valuable practical experience while completing your engineering degree.

Practical Experience

Cadetships blend theory with invaluable hands-on practice. Work alongside seasoned professionals, applying what you’ve learned to real‑life engineering projects.

Financial Support

Employers often provide financial assistance. This may include a regular salary, payment of university course fees, or a combination of both.

Industry Connections

Build valuable networks that could lead to part-time or full-time roles, even before you graduate.

Professional Development

Participating in a cadetship can significantly boost your resume and enhance your employability. The skills and experiences gained during your cadetship make you a competitive candidate in the job market.

Career Pathways

Cadetships often lead to direct job offers from your host employer upon graduation. This continuity can provide a seamless transition from education to full-time employment, allowing you to start your engineering career with confidence.

Industry Engagement

CQU actively engages with industry partners to offer cadetship opportunities each year, ensuring our graduates are work-ready.

The following undergraduate engineering courses are included in the CQU Engineering Cadetship program:

• Associate Degree of Engineering (CC02)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (CC31)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) (CC32)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Construction) and Diploma of Construction Management (CL72)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Design) and Diploma of Building Design (CL76)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Control and Instrumentation) and Bachelor of Information Technology (Application Development) (CL73)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Project Management (CM41)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)(Major) and Master of Project Management in Engineering (CM15)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (CG21).

You will need to check the course’s entry requirements when applying for the cadetship with a particular employer. Plus, your potential employer will have their own selection criteria for the cadetship.

Our cadetship partners span a range of locations, including Bundaberg, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay and Rockhampton. We also support our online students with opportunities throughout Australia.

In addition to the cadetship opportunities advertised below, you can often find opportunities advertised on company websites or job listing websites such as Seek. 

Each cadetship will be different, so be sure to carefully read the application requirements for each listing. 

Remember, applying for a cadetship is also applying for employment with an organisation, so pay particular attention to your resume, cover letter and any additional requirements.

Below are some recent cadetship opportunities that students have applied for.

Becker Sunner

Position: Civil Engineer – Cadetship

Location: Mackay, QLD

Discipline: Civil

Posted: 29 February 2025

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks

Position: Electrical Cadetship

Location: Bundaberg, QLD

Discipline: Electrical

Posted: 5 September 2024

Bundaberg Regional Council

Position: Cadet Engineer

Location: Bundaberg, QLD

Discipline: Civil

Posted: 30 June 2025

Cairns Regional Council

Position: Cadet Designer

Location: Cairns, QLD

Discipline: Civil

Posted: 16 December 2024

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Position: Engineering Cadet

Location: Innisfail, QLD

Discipline: Civil, Mechanical

Posted: 16 August 2024

Custom Fluidpower

Position: Professional Engineer

Location: Mackay, QLD

Discipline: Mechanical or Mechanical/Industrial Automation. 

Posted: 26 July 2024

Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR - Bundaberg)

Position: Cadet (Design)

Location: Bundaberg, QLD

Discipline: Civil

Posted: 11 July 2024

Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR - Rockhampton)

Position: Cadet Design

Location: Rockhampton region, QLD

Discipline: Engineering & Surveying

Posted: 11 February 2025

Downer Group

Position: Cadet Engineer

Location: Maryborough and Brisbane, QLD

Discipline: Mechanical, Electrical and/or Mechatronics.

Posted: 12 December 2024

JPR Welding

Position: Engineering - Draftsperson/Technologist

Location: Mackay, QLD

Discipline: Mechanical

Posted: 5 June 2025

KDW Civil

Position: Graduate / Undergraduate Site Engineer 

Location: Bundaberg, QLD

Discipline: Civil Construction

Posted: 13 May 2025

Patcol Group Pty Ltd

Position: Undergraduate Engineer

Location: Rockhampton, QLD

Discipline: Civil, Structural

Posted: 22 July 2024

Download our Engineering Cadetship Student Flyer or contact the School of Engineering and Technology Cadetship Coordinator via set-cadets@cqu.edu.au.

At CQU, we take pride in attracting a diverse range of students, each with a genuine eagerness to learn. This passion for knowledge, coupled with our unwavering support, empowers our students to emerge as confident and highly skilled engineers. Our track record speaks for itself - we're ranked in the top eight in Australia for full-time employment among engineering graduates*. This is proof of the exceptional quality of our graduates, assuring you that your commitment to CQU will support your workforce now and into the future. 

CQU has been awarded a five-star rating for student support for undergraduate engineering courses* A five-star rating indicates that our results are amongst the top 20% nationally. 

*The Good Universities Guide 2025.

The demand for professional engineers in Australia continues to grow rapidly; for civil engineers alone, it is projected that by 2026 there will be a strong 13.4% growth in demand. Strong growth is also expected across the board for other engineering specialities, including electrical, mechanical, mining, chemical and more, according to Labour Market Insights reports. 

We know there is a shortage in the industry for qualified engineers, Infrastructure Australia predicts the demand for engineering skills to be 48% higher than supply by 2025, which is equivalent to more than 41,000 new engineers needed. 

By combining CQU and industry efforts we can work towards meeting the demand for engineers, ensuring a skilled and capable workforce to contribute to the country's development and growth.

Plus, our graduates are highly regarded by employers, with the latest national employer survey showing CQUniversity is ranked #3 in Queensland and #8 nationally for overall employer satisfaction*. 

*QILT Employer Satisfaction Survey 2023.

An Engineering Cadetship partnership with CQUniversity will help grow your workforce and enhance engineering education sustainably. To maximise success, we recommend you consider the following.

Organisational support 

Cadets should feel connected to their workplace and have an employment agreement that considers their study commitments. To help maintain a sustainable work‑study‑life balance, full-time employment should include:

• 0.5 days per week of study release; and
• One week per term for assignments, exams and intensive classes.

Complimentary learning

Cadets learn best when work opportunities complement their studies. CQU will provide learning materials to helps employers match workload and project allocations with academic content.

Performance monitoring

Regular coaching and guidance on the job is essential for cadets to thrive in your work environment and achieve their academic aspirations.

Financial incentives

Consider adding other incentives to attract talent to your workplace:

• Scholarships
• Equipment (laptops, workwear, etc.)
• Course fees support
• Living allowances.

Download our Engineering Cadetship Industry Flyer or contact the School of Engineering and Technology Cadetship Coordinator via set-cadets@cqu.edu.au.