CQU's STEPS course has changed the lives of two Rockhampton residents who thought their limited schooling had restricted their career options forever.

With a background in sales and the hotel industry, Margie Murdoch dreamed of a different life. But how was she ever going to get there?.

Since finding the STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) program, Margie has renewed confidence and believes it has opened doors she thought would never be possible.

"STEPS showed me I can do it," she explained. "I wanted more and I thought I had more to offer and STEPS has opened the doors ... given me more choices.

"My family was very supportive of my study through STEPS and the lecturers never doubted my ability, even when I did." Margie is now planning on moving to Townsville to be closer to her children and has applied to study a four-year double degree in Community Welfare and English at James Cook University.

After a working holiday in Europe which spanned five years, Robert Douglas believed it was time to work towards a career that would better support his new fiance and family to come.

A plumber by trade, Robert completed year 10 at secondary school, but never continued his education formally. He entered a plumbing apprenticeship, which he says never really satisfied him.

"I worked as a personal trainer overseas, which I really enjoyed, but I knew it wasn't enough to sustain a family at home.

"I heard about STEPS through my brother and his wife, and I enrolled, hoping for more career choices.".

Robert said STEPS gave him a newfound confidence and new skills relevant to tertiary study.

"At school I struggled with basic maths, but throughout STEPS I received distinctions." Now with his STEPS program behind him, Robert is looking into the future with a career in staff recruitment and training. He has applied for enrolment in CQU's Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management).

Margie and Robert will formally graduate from their program at a Celebration of Learning Ceremony at CQU Rockhampton on Friday November 5 at 10am.

STEPS is a practical pathway to higher education providing mature-age students with the necessary skills to succeed at university. STEPS Coordinator in Rockhampton Julie Willans said innovation and practicality were the essence of the program.

The program is a 13-week full-time or 26-week part-time program.

The program provides teaching in language and learning, mathematics, computing for academic assignment writing and university preparatory studies.

For more information about STEPS phone 4930 9059.