After more than a decade working as a chef Nic Stuart knew it was time for a change. Long hours in the kitchen had given him discipline and creativity, but he wanted a career that offered better balance and aligned with his love of design. 

“My dad’s a drafter, and I’ve always liked product design. Then it clicked why not draw houses?” Nick explains. 

Choosing the Right Course

When Nic began looking into study options, he wanted something flexible and practical. 

“I’d done TAFE courses before and just didn’t enjoy the format,” he says. “It felt clunky even logging in was confusing. I wanted something that was straightforward and online.” 

He enrolled in the Certificate IV in Residential Drafting with BFDA, a course designed to be accessible to career changers and working professionals. 

Balancing Study and Work 

Nic found a rhythm that worked for him.

“I’d go into work on Saturdays, sit down for about five hours, and that became my study time each week,” he explains.

“Doing little bits each day didn’t work for me, I needed big blocks of time to really get into the groove.” 

This routine meant he could steadily progress without feeling overwhelmed, proving that BFDA’s flexible structure works for busy adults. 

Career Outcomes: From Study to Employment

Even before finishing, Nic was applying his drafting skills in real-world projects. He started freelancing, then secured a role with Banson, a multidisciplinary design firm. Today, he works on commercial drafting projects and continues to grow professionally. 

“Throughout the whole course I was always just a little bit ahead at work. I’d learn something new on the job and then cover it again in the course. It was really helpful to see things from multiple angles.” 

Industry-Ready Skills 

Nic came into the course with some Revit experience, but BFDA expanded his technical toolkit and gave him confidence in professional workflows. He also appreciated how easy it was to access course content. 

“One login was all it took, and everything was there. Compared to my TAFE experiences, it was a breath of fresh air,” he says. 

Looking Ahead 

Nic plans to continue building his career with Banson while preparing for the Diploma of Building Design the next step toward becoming a registered building designer. 

For Nick, the Cert IV in Residential Drafting wasn’t just study; it was a life-changing move.

“BFDA gave me the skills to move into a completely new career. I’ve gone from kitchens to construction  and I’m excited about where this path will take me next.” 

Ready to start your own drafting journey? 

Explore the Certificate IV at BFDA

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