"I want be a boilermaker. I decided the best thing for me to do was to get a qualification now so I can put it on my resume and gain industry skills before I graduate high school," Mr Moro said.

The Spinifex State College student enrolled in TAFE Queensland's TAFE at School program in Year 11 to get the head start he was searching for and has since been offered a school based traineeship.

"I decided to study a Certificate II in Engineering Pathways and I really enjoyed the practical lessons," Mr Moro said.

"I like that I got hands-on training and was able to learn different welding techniques and use different machines, rather than just hearing or reading about those things."

Mr Moro's dedication to his studies impressed metal fabrication teacher, Warren Spooner.

"Frank is one of the most outstanding students I have ever had the pleasure to teach, and he has the attributes of someone who could be very successful in the boilermaker trade," Mr Spooner said.

"Frank possesses wonderful qualities for a young man his age; his manners, his maturity, his enthusiasm to learn and improve his skills, and his willingness to help others in class resulted in him being a standout student."

At the 2019 Mount Isa Trade Excellence Awards, Mr Moro was named the TAFE at School Student of the Year.

"I didn't really believe it when my name was called out as the winner, because there were a lot of great students nominated. I didn't expect to win at all," Mr Moro said.

"I won a welder as part of the award and I've already started using it. My mum has a broken gate at home so I've started making a new gate with the welder."

Mr Moro said he was looking forward to his final year of high school.

"My teacher Warren put me in contact with a local metal fabrication company and they've agreed to take me on as a school-based apprentice in Year 12," Mr Moro said.

"I'm really excited about it because it'll mean I get to spend one school day a week in the workplace, learning and developing myself and my skills."

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