Outsource Institute - RTO Provider Code: 31560

The Queensland Government has announced the TradieStart Apprentice Incentive, opening 1 August 2026.

The program provides up to $16,000 to small businesses employing an apprentice for the first time. The base payment is $10,000, with an additional $4,000 where the apprentice is aged over 21 and a further $2,000 for priority cohorts, including women entering the trade. Payments are issued at six months and 18 months.

Engineering trades are eligible, covering mechanical trade, fabrication trade, and refrigeration and air conditioning. This includes fitters, machinists, boilermakers, welders and refrigeration mechanics.

Outsource Institute delivers all three qualifications on a funded basis in Queensland. Contact our team to discuss your options.

Neil's been on the road delivering CAD courses with the Queensland Manufacturing Hub, taking the training directly to regional manufacturers instead of making them come to it.

That's always been our approach. No sending your people away for a week, no travel costs, no lost time. The training turns up where the work is.

The courses are hands on, from 2D drafting through to 3D modelling on real parts. No experience needed.

Great rooms, great turnouts, and skills that go straight back into local workshops. 👏

We're running subsidised 2D and 3D CAD training for local manufacturers in Rockhampton, Townsville, Roma and Burdekin this July and August, on behalf of the Queensland Manufacturing Hub.

If you've got staff who could sharpen up their design skills, this is a great, low-cost way to do it. Get in touch or register through the link below.

The Queensland Manufacturing Hub will deliver subsidised 2D and 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) training programs for local manufacturers in Rockhampton, Townsville, Roma and Burdekin this July and August.

The course provides participants with a practical introduction to CAD, covering both 2D drafting and 3D modelling fundamentals.

Upskilling staff in CAD can help manufacturers improve design accuracy, streamline product development, reduce time spent on revisions and support faster project delivery. Developing these digital design skills also strengthens workforce capability and helps businesses remain competitive in a rapidly evolving manufacturing environment.

Find out more and register online: https://www.nrmmrrd.qld.gov.au/events?keyword=cad&sortByProp=start_date

Calling all our Cert III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade) students 🔧

Good news. Weld Australia is offering free membership to VET students and apprentices, and that includes you.

Here's what you get:
✅ Australian Welding, their quarterly flagship magazine
✅ Weld Connect e-bulletin (10 issues a year)
✅ Discounts on Weld Australia products and services
✅ Invites to networking events, site tours and technical sessions (some free or discounted for members)
✅ Regular industry news and updates

It's a solid way to plug into the wider welding and manufacturing community while you're still training.

To sign up you'll need your USI, our RTO name (Outsource Institute) and roughly when your course wraps up.

Register here 👉 http://bit.ly/4f0SxMFdZZ-8v04/JkM2-6qcW6N1vHY6lZ3nKW5prG2P6RZ5KHW6sMHl538yFkYW4XMwFW4GRKCdW81kgHW8yHx1MW82nvBD4g3x_-W169d1W1-YhPfW5jcrCx7HCL-bW4jNk9z8D0QRBW3776dY7_1MSMW7lSnx22RFM5dW6v96S54-rk7CN1VQPMDv3kQtW2xxyxG10wGM_W4qddXj3RxLMzW7kD4vs6RtrBBN69YmlrYR57YW382P036-MhJpW21QBxq7hqlPGW3FMlQt68m_xlVcL1K-6gNB2_W12DZ6n6wrW1nW88HHpm1lW01Yf3bm0js04

This is Caitlin, and she's nearly finished her Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade.

We caught her mid-weld here, running a TIG (gas tungsten arc) weld for one of her practical assessments. Her trainer Chris was there with her through it, in her own workplace in Devonport.

That's the part we like about how we do things. Caitlin didn't have to down tools and head off to a campus somewhere. The training came to her, on the job, with someone experienced right beside her.

We've been running trade qualifications this way for close to 30 years now, all around the country.

Great work Caitlin, almost there. 👏

Hydraulics 3.0 is back, and we're running it in two locations this July.⚙️

Over three days you'll get hands-on with fluid power controls. Install them, repair and rectify faults, then fine-tune the system to run exactly how it should. Real gear, real workshops, real skills you can take straight back to the job.

📍 Brisbane | 12 to 14 July
📍 Mackay | 28 to 30 July

Spots are limited and they fill fast. Send us a message or click Enquire Now to lock in your place.

🎂 We're turning 28 today and we couldn't let it pass without saying something!

For 28 years, Outsource Institute has been helping everyday Australians build real skills and earn qualifications that actually open doors. From students just starting out to professionals looking to level up - we've been proud to be part of those journeys.

Thank you to every student, employer and team member who has been part of our story. You're the reason we're still here and still going strong.

Happy birthday to us! 🎉

Working in fabrication or welding and thinking about what’s next?

There’s a clear pathway to build on your trade skills and move towards supervision:

→ Certificate III Engineering – Fabrication Trade
→ Certificate IV Engineering – Welding
→ Welding Supervision

It’s a step from doing the work to having more input into how it’s done — from quality to coordination.

If you’re looking to step up, or you’re building capability in your team, get in touch.

This is what real training looks like 🔧

Alex completing MEM05090 – manual metal arc welding as part of his Boilermaking trade.

Delivered in the workshop, with support from a trainer who’s come directly from industry.

At Outsource Institute, we keep training practical:
✔ Real workplace environments
✔ Real equipment and job conditions
✔ Trainers with genuine industry experience

Because learners shouldn’t just complete units — they should leave with skills they can confidently take back onto site.

Nice work Alex 👊

Hospitals, bridges, power stations and manufacturing plants don’t just “appear”.
They’re built by skilled people - and that workforce doesn’t maintain itself.

Our Director, Carl Spruce, has shared his thoughts on what the latest Federal Budget means for:

✅ apprenticeships
✅ vocational training
✅ employer incentives
✅ Australia’s long‑term skills capability

There are positives, but also some hard truths about where we’re falling short.

Read the full blog here 👉 https://outsourceinstitute.edu.au/the-skills-australia-needs-dont-build-themselves/