A former professional basketballer has found success in his new career, thanks to the skills he gained at TAFE NSW. James Trustum played with the Sydney Kings in the National Basketball League during the mid-2010s before injury brought his professional sport career to an end.

After years spent working as a mechanic on mining equipment, James followed his love of transport infrastructure to enrol in a surveying course at TAFE NSW. Over time he completed a Certificate III in Surveying and Spatial Information Services, Certificate IV in Surveying and Spatial Information Services (Surveying), and a Diploma of Surveying.

He now works for Transport for NSW on infrastructure projects in communities north of Sydney, particularly the Central Coast and Lower Hunter.

“When my professional basketball career was coming to an end, I knew I needed to find another career and job. My dad was a roadworker and I’d always been interested in machinery and transport, so I knew I wanted to be in a role that was outdoors,” Mr Trustum said.

“I really enjoy my role because I get to problem solve, use technology, and collect data to fix and build infrastructure that will help the people of New South Wales. It’s really rewarding to see projects I worked on be built and then know that I contributed to their success.

“My TAFE NSW studies provided me with the practical skills and knowledge I needed to get started in this new career and have confidence in my abilities to succeed in this role. Studying at TAFE NSW also helped reinforce what I was learning and doing on the job, so it made settling into my new career easier.”

The national boom in construction has prompted a strong need for more surveyors, with about 9,000 new building and surveying technicians forecast to join the industry between 2023 and 2033.

TAFE NSW Spatial and Surveying Teacher, Vito Zec, said the organisation is supplying a pipeline of graduates to meet industry demand through its surveying and spatial information course offering.

“With the construction industry booming, the role of surveyors in assessing and getting building projects started has become even more important,” he said.

“TAFE NSW provides its students with the practical skills they need to work in this industry and get the job they want. James’s journey highlights how studying at TAFE NSW can help you launch a successful career.”

Mr Trustum is also a strong advocate for encouraging young Aboriginal people into a surveying career.

“As a proud Yuin, Wodi Wodi, and Worimi man, I’m passionate about getting young Aboriginal kids into this industry,” Mr Trustum said. “Through surveying, you can play an active part in protecting Country and using your connection to the land to help ensure the cultural significance of sites is preserved.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding career, and by studying at TAFE NSW, you get the practical skills you need to get the job you want.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, rob.virtue@tafensw.edu.au