Rod started a glazing apprenticeship when he was almost 16, working for Silverwood and Beck which was bought by Pilkington (Australia) Limited. He spent 19 years with the business in various roles including factory manager, commercial estimator and sales centre manager.  Rod then started his own glazing business which he ran for nine years, employing four apprentices. After closing his business, Rod was a sales manager for Viridian glass before taking on a teaching role at TasTAFE.

Rod currently has a dual role of glazing teacher and acting Education Manager for Allied Trades. He says teaching is his passion and out of all of the roles he has had, the main part he has loved is training people.