Long-time Gladstone resident Steven Roberts came to a turning point in his life due to a sudden illness, but it has helped lead to his 'new lease on life' as a university student.

The single father of a teenage daughter had a long career as a welder - everything from aluminium smelter anode repairs to Fijian patrol boats - but more recently he's been doing various jobs at the Boyne Environmental Education Centre, ranging from construction to classroom preparations.

Steven Roberts accepts his STEPS completion certificate in late 2010. Photo courtesy Craig Chapman Photography

"After a sudden illness I chose to do STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies) as I felt I could do more in my life, so CQUniversity was the next step. I am presently doing the Bachelor of Learning Management in secondary/vocational education and training with a major in Geography at Gladstone Campus," Steven said.

"My goal is to complete my degree and teach and hopefully inspire people to do more in their lives.

"STEPS helped me understand that I could do this and that I wasn't alone, that I was given the tools to reach for my goal and achieve it.

"I now see a new direction in life which is both achievable and exciting. I would strongly recommend anyone wishing to take that first step into a new world, to do STEPS as it will open up many new exciting aspects to explore at university to study."

Gladstone Campus will host its next round of assessment and interviews for STEPS on May 31 with details via 4970 7327 and enrolments are also open for mid-year entry into a wide range of CQUniversity degree programs. Details available via 13 27 86 or (soon) at www.cqu.edu.au/midyear