Luke Shields

Full Name: Luke Shields

Position/Role: Managing Director (owner)

Years of Industry Experience: Over 20 years in heavy industry

Specialist Skills:
– High Risk Work Licences: CO, CT, CV, RI, DG, LF, WP
– Nationally Recognised Competencies across RII package
– Cranes, rigging, dogging, and load handling in high-risk environments
– Development and facilitation of HRWL and RII courses
– Mentoring trainee trainers and supporting workforce development
– Strong background in workplace safety, compliance, and risk assessment

Career Background:
Luke is the Owner and Director of Momentum High Risk Training, where he also works as a Trainer and Assessor. With more than two decades in mining, construction, ports, and oil & gas, he has extensive hands-on and supervisory experience across high-risk operations.

His career began in heavy industry and rigging roles, progressing through crane operations, shutdowns, and large-scale Ports and Gas infrastructure projects across Australia (NT, WA and QLD) and internationally, including PNG. Over the years, Luke has operated and supervised on some of the largest cranes in the harshest environments, coordinated shutdowns, and led high-risk lifting operations.

Since establishing Momentum HRT in 2019, Luke has focused on delivering nationally accredited training, mentoring future trainers, and working with small businesses as well as all the top tier Mining companies and their contracting teams from around QLDs Bowen Basin and specifically Mackay region to build safer, more skilled teams.

Why I’ve Chosen This Career
What keeps me in this career are the Trainees and Trainers themselves. For some, one course or licence can be life-changing — it gives them a start, a job, a career, or simply the confidence to chase the next goal they never thought possible. For others, it’s about stepping up, pushing forward, and getting ahead. Being part of both journeys is what makes this role so rewarding.

Fun Fact / Personal Interest:
When not at the training centre, Luke enjoys spending time with his family boating, building things with his kids (the most expensive chicken coop/lowest ROI for eggs ever!) and just loving north QLD.

Favourite Quote or Motto:  “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll learn.”

Most Memorable Training Moment
Seeing that shift in someone — whether it’s a new student or a trainer in development — when they go from “I’m not sure I can do this” to “I’ve got this, I’m in control and confident.” Those moments remind me that learning is the same for all of us: practice, support, and the right guidance can transform doubt into achievement.

Areas You’re Passionate About in Safety or Training:
– Rigging and crane safety
– Building confidence through practical training
– Mentoring the next generation of high-risk workers and trainers

Best Advice for Students
The best way to learn is by doing. Don’t hold back because you’re nervous — training is the safest place to ask questions, step forward, and make mistakes, now’s the time. That’s how hands-on people truly learn. Every error is just experience gained, and every bit of practice builds the confidence you’ll need on the job.

Biggest Career Achievement:
Becoming the successful Owner and Director of Momentum High Risk Training (with my lovely wife Jacqui) — transforming years of hands-on experience into high-quality training delivery and in turn passing this on to our dedicated team of specialist Trainers & Assessors.

If You Weren’t a Trainer, You’d Be:
Running heavy equipment and cranes in large-scale construction projects — still hands-on in the field.