Injury sets carpenter Joh on a new career course … or three
FORMER carpenter and cabinet-maker Joh Schouten is an inspiration, completing three back-to-back qualifications in his 60s.
TAFE Cairns visual arts graduate Mr Schouten enrolled in his first course after a neck injury forced him to find a new direction in life.
“I can’t explain it, there was just something pushing me to return to school,” he said.
“I had reservations, but I didn’t back down. I just told myself that it’s not unheard of someone my age going to TAFE.”
Mr Schouten enrolled in a foundation course to improve his skills, knowledge and confidence to undertake further training.
And after graduating, he decided to pursue training in something he’d always been passionate about.
“I thought, I’m going to do art next, and this is now my time to find out if I can or can’t do it,” Mr Schouten said.
“Well, I did my Certificate III in Visual Arts and it was what I was looking for all this time.
“Studying art has also allowed me to continue my love for woodwork without harming my neck injury.”
By the time he completed his second qualification, Mr Schouten was hungry for even more training and enrolled in the Diploma of Visual Arts. These studies allowed him to further develop his creative side and form a special friendship.
“When I finished my diploma training, my teacher, Rose Rigley, continued to mentor and help me to further develop my art portfolio.
“It has been such a good experience to work closely with Rose. The continued support I have received from her and all of the visual arts teachers has been invaluable.”
Mr Schouten’s academic and artistic achievements have resulted in a Tropical North Queensland regional Queensland Training Award nomination for vocational student of the year.
His artwork is currently on display in an exhibition at TAFE Queensland entitled Ignition 2020 – Emerging TAFE Artists, with more of his work to be featured at the Cairns Art Gallery later in the year.