Engineering Cadetships

Engineering Cadet Student wearing PPE standing with a large piping structure
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Are you ready to shape the future of engineering and don’t want to wait until after you graduate?

Kickstart your engineering career with CQUniversity's Engineering Cadetships! In partnership with a variety of organisations, you can gain hands-on experience, earn while you learn, and receive continuous support. Enter the workforce early and secure your future today!

Information for Students

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.

Engineering Associate
Engineering Technologist
Professional Engineer

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.

The following organisations have recently partnered with CQU to offer Engineering Cadetships:

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

Currently advertised Cadetship opportunities

Below are some Cadetship roles we are currently advertising.

Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ)

Any first-year Associate Degree of Engineering student seeking a Cadetship and Tuition Bursary. Closing date: 31 December 2025.

RMA Engineers

Are you keen to enhance your learning across civil, stormwater, and traffic engineering? RMA Engineers in Bundaberg are looking for a motivated Civil Engineering Cadet to join their team. Applications are continuously open.  

Koppen

Are you passionate about Civil engineering and construction? Koppen in Cairns, QLD, is looking for an enthusiastic Engineering Cadet to join their team. Applications are continuously open.

Premise

We are offering multiple Civil Engineering Cadetship positions across Townsville, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Brisbane, and Rockhampton Qld. Closing date: Continuously open

McConnell Dowell

Exciting opportunity for a final-year undergraduate! A Civil or Mechanical Engineering Cadetship is available in Gladstone, QLD. Applications are continuously open.

Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL)

Gain practical, hands-on experience and develop your skills as a Control Systems Cadet Engineer. Based in Gladstone, QLD. Closing date: Until filled

Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL)

Take the first step towards a rewarding career in infrastructure and design as a Civil/Structural Cadet Engineer. Based in Gladstone, QLD. Closing date: Until filled

Cascade Australia

Seeking an Intern for work experience in Darra QLD. Closing date: Continuously open till end of 2025.

GHD

Any Engineering student seeking a Cadetship in Bundaberg or Hervey Bay, Queensland. Closing date: Continuously open.

Lovejoy Services

Any Electrical Engineering student seeking Work Experience in Bundaberg, Queensland, with potential to lead to a Cadetship. Closing date: Continuously open.

Tipec

Any Civil Engineering student seeking part-time employment, with potential for full-time hours in the future in Hervey Bay or Mackay, Queensland. Closing date: Continuously open.

Information for Industry

At CQU, we're always looking to engage and form strong partnerships with our community to support our students, regions and workforce.

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.

Reinforce your Workplace

If you are an employer interested in our cadetship program and would like to participate, download a digital copy of our most up-to-date flyer designed specifically for you.

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