A REDLAND City sheet metal worker was presented with a prestigious Queensland Overseas Foundation international work experience scholarship at Parliament House recently.
Governor of Queensland and QOF patron, Paul de Jersey AC, presented the award Russell Routledge.
Russell said the scholarship would enable him gain valuable insight into sheet metal fabrication in Japan.
"The foundation scholarship will give me to opportunity to live and work overseas and improve my trade skills," he said.
"I have always been impressed by the attention to detail of Japanese sheet metal workers and I am excited to be given the opportunity to learn first-hand about their techniques and processes.
"I am also looking forward to expanding my knowledge of electronics and mechatronics programming while I am in Japan.
"I am a keen entrepreneur and inventor and I have already created a number of prototypes that I one day hope to commercialise in Queensland. This opportunity will take me one step further to realising this.
"I encourage other Queenslanders to apply for this scholarship because it really does open doors for you and help you to gain experience that will boost your career."
Foundation chair Carol Webb said the scholarships would benefit Queensland industries in the long term.
"Since 1976, we have helped 107 Queenslanders pursue their dream of working overseas knowing they will bring their skills back home and offer considerable benefit to our industries," Ms Webb said.
To register for the 2016 awards or the Global Connections Bursary visit www.qof.org.au.
