Louis amps up electrical opportunities for remote students

TAFE Queensland electrical educator, Louis Fairbairn, is still highly ‘connected’ to the electrical industry, and now he’s helping regional high schoolers switch on their own career opportunities in the industry.

Louis started teaching at the Kingaroy campus after first completing his Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) with TAFE Queensland.

“I chose TAFE Queensland as I was looking for a rewarding job that would give me job satisfaction while feeling as if I was still contributing to the electrical industry as a whole,” he explained.

“I initially got into the electrical industry when I was at school — I started as a school-based apprentice at Swickers’ (SunPork Fresh Foods) bacon factory in Kingaroy,” Louis began.

“Then I moved into a full-time apprenticeship after school and completed my electrical qualification. After six years as an electrician, I wanted to give back to the industry in a different way,” he shared.

Louis began teaching the Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22020) – a pre-apprenticeship course – to high school students in Kingaroy, which he found very rewarding. Especially as he has continued teaching many of the same student cohort once they gained electrical apprenticeships and commenced Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician (UEE30820) qualifications.

His role involves training electrical apprentices working in businesses based in the South Burnett. However, when he is not working at TAFE Queensland, Louis continues to undertake his own domestic, commercial and industrial electrical jobs to remain industry-current.

“I’ve worked at TAFE Queensland for three and a half years and I predominantly teach the Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician incorporating Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control (UEE30820/UEE31220) courses to apprentices working in local businesses in our region.  I also still assist with the Certificate II pre-apprenticeship course,” Louis reflected.

“The best thing about working at TAFE Queensland is working with the electrical team — my peers — between the Kingaroy and Chinchilla campuses.”

“With their help and support I’ve taught cadets undertaking the pilot of the Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-Apprenticeship Program in 2024,” shared Louis.

Louis is referring to the training opportunities for students in regional, rural and remote Queensland areas who are interested in sparking careers in Queensland’s transformative energy industry.

Louis guides the Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-Apprenticeship Program participants to complete a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) (UEE22020)  course over 12 months, which is complemented by practical work experience blocks under the guidance of Ergon Energy Network and Energex’s experienced trades people.

The Ergon Energy Network and Energex Pre-Apprenticeship Program has been expanded in 2025 to include up to 55 depots across regional and remote Queensland.

The program participants complete a cadetship with the Ergon Energy Network and Energex via work experience at a depot in their local community and TAFE Queensland-delivered training, ensuring they’re familiar with, safe and well-poised to pursue an electrical apprenticeship in the future.

“So far — that’s been my most memorable time at TAFE Queensland — solidifying this pre-apprenticeship program and seeing it expanded across the state.”

“And when the first cohort of students were presented their tools and clothing from the Ergon Energy Network and Energex and were also able to meet the depot members at their local TAFE Queensland campus – this was very rewarding,” Louis added.

Louis’ outstanding dedication to the electrotechnology industry and his commitment to training the next generation of industry tradespeople was recognised at the 2024 Darling Downs South West Regional Queensland Training Awards, where he was a finalist in the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year Award category.