We first met Matt in 2011, when he became an Australian Apprentice of the Year Finalist at the Australian Training Awards. Over the past 15 years, Matt's pathway through vocational education and training (VET) has taken him from the tools to senior executive leadership, shaping communities and contributing to some of the ACT's most significant developments.
Past
The recognition Matt received as part of the Australian Training Awards played an important role in his early career. It provided confidence and legitimacy, reinforcing that VET was not an alternative pathway, but a strong and credible first choice.
"That recognition I received told me I was on the right track," Matt says. "Starting on the tools gave me an understanding of how things really work, and that foundation has stayed with me throughout my career."
Matt's early experiences also shaped his views on leadership and talent. Having come through a vocational pathway himself, he became a strong advocate for people whose skills are built through practical learning and on-the-job experience.
Present
What continues to inspire Matt is the tangible nature of the construction industry.
"At the end of a project, something real exists that didn't before," he says. "Whether it is a home, a hotel or an entire precinct, there is real purpose in creating space we live and work in."
Since his time as an Australian Training Awards finalist, Matt's career has evolved in unexpected ways. Beginning as a carpenter, he progressed through a range of roles, supervising trades, managing construction programs and developing expertise across the commercial side of the industry.
Today, Matt works in senior executive leadership and leads a 4-partner development consortium delivering the ACT's largest master-planned precinct, comprising around 4,000 dwellings. His experience includes leading acquisitions worth hundreds of millions of dollars, navigating complex projects through builder insolvencies and delivering an Australia-first cross laminated timber office development.
To support this progression, Matt completed a Diploma of Property Development through the Property Council of Australia and RMIT. He sees continued learning as essential in a sector that is constantly evolving.
"Your initial qualification opens the door, but ongoing learning is what keeps you moving," he says. "The industry changes, planning frameworks shift and the people who succeed are the ones who stay curious."
Matt also reflected on the changes within the VET sector itself. He has seen a shift away from outdated perceptions of VET as a fallback option, with growing recognition of its central role in delivering the skilled workforce Australia needs.
Future
For now, Matt remains focused on delivering one of the most significant urban renewal projects the ACT has seen. Looking ahead, he is drawn to large-scale developments that create genuine communities, where design, planning and commercial strategy come together to deliver long-term outcomes for people and places.
Beyond project delivery, Matt is considering how he can give back to the next generation entering the industry. Whether through mentoring, advocacy or more formal involvement in the future, supporting VET pathways remains important to him.