hanging Lives Anne Inspirational student stories Changing the way we educate: her story Accessible flexible learning and training

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1 TAFE western hanging Lives Edition 3 Autumn 2014 Anne Emmanuel her story Changing the way we educate: Accessible flexible learning and training Inspirational student stories

2 Letter from the Institute Director This is the third edition of Changing Lives and it tells the stories of some of our former students who are now working in their chosen career, or are continuing their study either with TAFE or at University. We also feature stories that show how TAFE Western and its team of highly trained and inspiring teachers help students find new direction and pathways in employment or higher education. During 2014 TAfe Western will focus on four key priorities providing exceptional customer service, improving customer responsiveness, maintaining quality provision of education and ensuring our students receive value for money from their training at TAfe Western. Our vision of Providing Education and Training that Changes Lives will remain unchanged whilst we continue to be committed to the industries, businesses and communities of Western NSW, as well as continuing to work with Aboriginal communities and providing innovative approaches to servicing people in remote and rural communities. I invite you to take a few moments to find out how TAfe Western really does change lives 2 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives Did you know? TAFE Western won the Premier s Public Sector Award 2013 in the Revitalising Regional NSW category for its unique approach to delivering training TAFE Western Connect. TAFE NSW Western Institute provides educational services to an area of nearly 500,000 square kilometres, covering more than 50% of NSW. The region includes some of the most disadvantaged and isolated communities where there are significant barriers to accessing and providing training for skills development and employment in rural and remote areas. TAFE Western Connect is a regional approach to increasing access to high quality vocational education and training for all students, irrespective of where they live in the region. Using videoconferencing, mobile delivery units and online training, TAFE Western Connect has provided training to more than 3,700 students across western NSW in 2013 with a broader range of courses than has previously been available.

3 What s inside TAfe Western Connect 2 Rhianne Forrest 4 Jack Randell 6 Aunty Beth 8 Tralee Cunningham 10 Peta Manchester 12 Peter Allen 14 Skills Training for Every Industry 15 Anne Emmanuel 16 Hamilton Mitchell 18 Andrew Reynolds 20 Robyn Eyears 22 Outdoor Recreation Team 24 Tom Hughes 25 Skye Forster 26

4 Rhianne Forrest 2013 TVET Student of the Year 2013 Most Outstanding Graduating Student of the Year 4 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives Rhianne was announced as TAFE Western s 2013 Most Outstanding Graduating Student of the Year, as well as 2013 TVET (TAFE delivered Vocational Education and Training at school) Student of the Year. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Canberra and is also working in the hospital; something that Rhianne admits is quite unusual for a first year student. She believes TAfe Western played a significant role in assisting her to achieve her goal. As a first year nursing student it is usually very hard to get a job in a hospital Rhianne said during a recent interview. My TAfe training taught me the skills that I need in the workforce. Because of TAfe I have the skills and knowledge to go almost anywhere: life skills, communication skills, practical skills as well as confidence. Rhianne was living in Ungarie when she started her Certificate III in Health Service Assistance in 2011, via TAfe s vocational training at school program - TVet. She had a four hour return drive to attend class each week in Parkes and was offered optional attendance. Instead, Rhianne preferred to attend in person as she considered her Certificate III as a pathway to achieving her ultimate goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. University is wonderful, but a big step from high school and I think my training at TAfe has helped me cope with life at university. After my Bachelor in Nursing, I d like to specialise perhaps with a Master in Paediatrics, physiotherapy or midwifery, Rhianne said

5 TAFE taught me lifelong knowledge and communication skills. Did you know? High school students can complete training at TAFE during Year 10, 11 and 12 at school as part of their HSC in a range of vocational areas. This allows students, who successfully complete their TAFE studies, to leave school with a nationally recognised qualification as well as skills that will help them get a job. 5 TAFE Western has one of the largest Vocational Education and Training in Schools programs in NSW with 2,800 students from 106 schools enrolled in % of TVET students surveyed in 2013 said that they would continue their training at TAFE.

6 Jack Randell Teacher Visual Arts and Design Award Winning Teacher 6 TAFE WesTErn Changing Lives Any TAFE Teacher working in the Correctional Centre (CC) and Juvenile Justice Centre (JJC) environment must maintain the highest levels of integrity and honesty. Jack Randell is a talented artist and part time visual arts teacher who has carved out a career in this challenging environment and organises TAFE Western s Juvenile Justice Community Arts Program. Jack works with young adults in Yetta Dhinnakkal, the Brewarrina CC, and Orana JJC to bring out the best in them. He helps them to be proud of what they can achieve and encourages his students to take ownership of their designs and artwork. Typically Jack s students are 16 to 18 year olds, some of whom come from a socially disadvantaged background, or may have family relationship problems including neglect and abuse. Participation in Jack s classes is helping to provide these young men with a positive attitude to further education or employment. Patience, flexibility and trust are the key to teaching these young men, Jack said. I bring an outsider s point of view which helps me develop a relationship with my students, but it takes time. Part of Jack s success in building the skills of his students comes from being able to develop close links with community organisations to find projects based outside of the centre. This is an approach that helps the student see beyond their own circumstances, and when the project is completed, provides them with evidence of their hard work, which then allows them to feel pride and ownership. The Western Plains Taronga Zoo Platypus Program is one such project. Orana JJC was successful in being selected to produce a mural, to raise awareness of the habitats and habits of these animals.

7 Jack said The Western Plains Zoo project provided a simulated work environment for students who researched the proposed site and created a design concept that was put forward to the client for comments. The design was then modified before being accepted and going into production and installation in the Australian Enclosure at the Zoo. Through projects such as these, we are able to link TAfe Western students with the community whilst undertaking a course of study that results in a nationally recognised qualification. Jack was recently awarded a 2013 Institute Director s Award for his approach to teaching. He and his students have also received a number of awards and commendations for the innovative way in which they respond to community projects Participation in Jack s classes is helping to provide young men with a positive attitude to further education or employment. 7

8 8 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives Poem by Aunty Beth I am very humble to receive this very prestigious award When I first heard I was nominated, I said Oh my good lord I have been teaching since I was 10, with 23 cousins visiting our home And now I teach by Video conference, face to face and even the telephone I thank TAFE for giving me the opportunity, for my language and culture to teach So we can better a future, our children can proudly reach Thank you to my family, my students, friends, staff and more And I only hope I can be as good as those who have come before TAFE has changed my life, and given me a chance to fulfil my dream Thank you TAFE for letting me be a part of a wonderful team

9 Elizabeth Wright (Aunty Beth) Aboriginal Teacher TAFE Western s Yarradamarra Centre Award Winning Teacher Aunty Beth is a proud Gamillaroi Woman and Elder in her community. She delivers Aboriginal cultural and language programs in Correctional facilities and Juvenile Justice Centres in the region, as well as in schools, in communities and with Elders. In addition, Aunty Beth works with students in IPROWD (Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery) and Aboriginal Health, as well as the Passing Program. young Aboriginal people feel proud of who they are, and as a result, all of her students complete their course. The positive educational experience that Aunty Beth provides helps to close the gap her students feel and encourages them to participate in further education. Her efforts do not stop with her students; Aunty Beth also encourages staff within the centres to learn more about Aboriginal Culture so that they also have a greater understanding of the young adults in their care 9 Aunty Beth s programs are held in high esteem and have changed the lives of the young adults whom she teaches in the Correctional facilities and Juvenile Justice centres. All of Aunty Beth s students are Aboriginal and sometimes these programs are the first occasion the students have to be able to learn about their culture. Aunty Beth s classes are focused on making Did you know? TAFE Western is the largest provider of training in Correctional Centres in Australia.

10 10 TAFE WeSTERn Changing Lives Did you know? Research shows that someone who holds a Certificate III or above will have better employment prospects and is likely to earn more than someone who doesn t. TAFE was my spring board to employment and university.

11 Tralee Cunningham Former TAFE Western Student Tralee Cunningham is a highly successful business woman with a very impressive resume. She is based in Brisbane and works in the global human resources team of Vale, the third largest mining company in the world, where she looks after staff career progression and succession planning, education and training, employee performance, recruitment and selection for staff in eighteen countries in the Asia Pacific region. Tralee s journey began with vocational training at TAfe Western s Parkes College where she studied a Certificate III in Business Studies and Micro Computing in the mid-1990s, which she says assisted her to get her first full time job with Westfund Health Insurance, at the branch in Parkes. When I finished high school after year 12, Tralee said, I wasn t sure what to do. I knew I couldn t afford to go to university at that time, so TAfe seemed to be a good idea. In hindsight it was a good decision as my TAfe training was a spring board to employment and then a few years later to my first degree at university. I learned a lot at TAfe, and the skills I developed helped me succeed in getting the job at Westfund. Tralee worked her way up to become Branch Operations Manager and after 12 years she joined Rio Tinto at Northparkes Mine in the Human Resources (HR) Team. At Rio Tinto Tralee was responsible for the education and training of the mine s staff. During this time Tralee continued to study completing a Certificate IV and Diploma in HR. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education from La Trobe University, as well as a Masters in Human Resource Management from University of Queensland. Tralee was promoted to the Rio Tinto head office where she became responsible for vocational education, career planning and developing educational models for operations on the East Coast. In 2012, Tralee moved to Vale where she joined as Manager Education and People Development for the Australian arm of the organisation before recently moving into her current Asia Pacific role 11

12 Peta Manchester VET Nursing 12 TAFE WesTErn Changing Lives Without TAFE Western and my employer I would have never achieved my dream. Not in a million years did I ever think I could be a Vet Nurse, but if you have a passion, and work hard, you can achieve it. Peta Manchester is a senior nurse working in a busy veterinary practice in Orange. What Peta loves most is scrubbing in on surgery and being able to see inside an animal, although a typical day may range from helping with routine surgical procedures, monitoring animals post-surgery and even making house calls. Peta s journey started when she was a single mum and was working as a kennel hand, but wanted to pursue her dream of being a Vet Nurse and decided to go to TAfe. Her TAfe training pathway began with literacy classes so that she could better meet the challenge of the Certificate III in Veterinary Nursing, and it was here that Peta s dyslexia was finally diagnosed and she was referred to a Disability Teacher Consultant for support. The Disability Teacher Consultant worked with Peta to ensure that she received appropriate one-on-one support with study skills, literacy and numeracy, as well as training in using Read and Write Gold, an assistive technology software package.

13 Peta worked diligently, converting and reading all her notes while her children slept. She learnt to use Dragon Dictate to write assignments as well as an electronic Vet Nurse dictionary to help her with her studies. Through her hard work, Peta gained Distinctions in a number of units of study during her training. The support services that TAfe Western provided to me from the beginning really fostered my skills and passion to learn, Peta said. I knew I wasn t stupid, but I felt like I was. Once I had been diagnosed with debilitating dyslexia and I got the help I needed, then my training was achievable not easy by any means, but achievable. TAfe Western supported me and my passion every step of the way, from providing me with a support person to take notes, assist with assignments right through to working with my workplace to ensure I had access to the appropriate support. Without TAfe and my employer I would have never achieved my dream. Peta encourages everyone to get help. Speak to someone if I hadn t spoken with one of the Disability Teacher Consultants at TAfe Western, I wouldn t be where I am today. I ve worked hard and have passion and TAfe Western and my employer have fostered this. I now realise nothing is impossible. Peta aspires to continue her studies in Veterinary Nursing in both the surgical side, as well as laboratory work 13 Did you know? TAFE Western has a wide range of support services accessible through the Institute s Student Hubs that help students succeed. These include library and research services, career advice, counselling, Aboriginal Student Support, online tutoring for help with assignments and services for students with a disability.

14 Vehicle Painting Facility wins Award for Sustainable Practice Each year, TAFE Western s Dubbo College provides training to more than 150 Automotive Vehicle Body students who want to specialise in panel beating or vehicle painting. 14 TAFE WesTErn Changing Lives To further TAfe Western s commitment to provide high quality, relevant and customised up-to-date training and facilities the Dubbo College has installed a new state-of-the-art PAN automotive spray booth, worth over $150,000. Peter Allen, Teacher Panel Beating and Vehicle Painting said the spray booth has been specifically designed for TAfe Western to maximise teaching and learning experiences. Peter has championed environmentally sustainable practices in the vehicle spray painting and repair industry for many years and was instrumental in the conversion of the spray booth in Dubbo from the use of toxic solvents, to safer water based paints and solvents that are also lead and chromate free. The commissioning of this new state-of-the-art spray booth is really exciting for TAfe and our students as it will provide training that is aligned to the needs of industry, Peter said. We have reduced our use of solvent paints by 90% over the past year, and the new spray booth will assist with that as it is more adaptable to water based paints, which is the future of vehicle painting. Peter also added that the PAN spray booth is more environmentally friendly as it will use one third of the electricity of the old spray booth, whilst the output of toxins will be greatly reduced as well, leaving less of a footprint on the environment. Peter s work has ensured that TAfe Western operates a cutting-edge spray paint and repair teaching operation, now the only one of its kind in NSW west of the Blue Mountains. Peter Allen won a 2013 Institute Director s Award for Sustainable Practice In working to make the operation more environmentally friendly, TAFE Western s training is in line with the exacting current requirements of industry.

15 SKILLS TRAINING for every industry As a preferred and trusted partner with industry, TAFE Western services more than 1000 employers, 2000 apprentices and 1500 trainees and has become adept at finding flexible and innovative ways to design, deliver and manage education and training services. At the beginning of 2013 the Institute launched its new Business Capability Unit to meet the needs of industry, businesses and employers in nsw. Since its launch, the unit has been focused on one priority - to provide a centralised and first class service for all of TAfe Western s valued industry customers. The Business Capability Unit provides the link between TAfe Western s customers and the diverse range of educational products and services offered by the Institute. This ensures a streamlined and efficient customer model with a single point of contact for all products and services. TAfe Western Client Managers also help employers get the most for their training dollar by assisting them to access Government funding to extend their training budgets and providing guidance and expertise to meet compliance and legislative industry specific training requirements. Recently, TAfe Western has been working with the Bernardi Group - a strong and growing regional business committed to providing learning opportunities and relevant training for all their employees. TAfe Western and Bernardi s have developed a partnership to undertake a workplace training and assessment program in the IGA, Super IGA and Discount Dave s retail stores operated by the group. In partnership with TAfe Western, the Bernardi s trainees are offered pathways into the Certificate III in Retail Operations, with school based trainees undertaking the Certificate II in Retail Services. On the back of the partnership s success to date, TAfe Western is now working with the organisation on a new opportunity for a flexible and customised training pathway into the Certificate IV in Retail Management for store supervisors. Although it was noted that this was going to be a massive job it was not until I started working alongside TAfe Western staff that I truly understood what the task involved in mapping our documents, manuals and employee learning materials into a cohesive program customised to our business need, said Dianne Collie, HR manager for the Bernardi s Group. To put it plainly, the work that resulted was amazing! TAfe Western was able to decipher the course requirements, discern how our documentation could be mapped to the required course competencies as well as identify the gaps in the Bernardi Group documentation - and all in record time as there was a very tight timeline to meet. Thanks to the work of TAfe Western our trainees of 2013 are enjoying their course of study the Bernardi Group way and the Bernardi Group look forward to our ongoing partnership with TAfe Western, Dianne said. For more information about customised training solutions and workforce development, or to start a discussion about how TAfe Western can work with you, please call or TAFEBCUSales@tafensw.edu.au 15

16 I thought if I can do that, then I can do anything. 16 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives

17 Anne Emmanuel 2013 Vocational Student of the Year Anne Emmanuel is from Kenya and has been in Australia for 25 years. Anne overcame the challenge of studying at TAFE in a language that was not her native tongue, as well as the challenge of combining motherhood and study. She impressed her teachers with her work ethic, friendly and outgoing manner and deeply caring nature. Anne worked very hard to achieve her desired qualification. She started at TAfe Western s Orange College learning English as a second language, before progressing through various other qualifications. In 2011 Anne enrolled in a Diploma of Endorsed Enrolled Nursing. When she had completed her course she was able to gain employment at Bloomfield Hospital as a Mental Health Nurse, where she is working currently. TAfe staff have been of so much assistance, she said. At times I was going to give up and it was the support I received from TAfe Western that helped me to complete my course. I started learning English at TAfe because I was scared of talking, Anne said. TAfe helped me to have confidence and to realise that I could get out there and achieve anything. I went on to study a Diploma in Welfare and started working with people with a disability. I thought if I can do that, then I can do anything and then enrolled in the Diploma of Endorsed Enrolled Nursing. I cannot thank my teachers enough, because they never gave up on me and now I d like to go on and study advanced mental health! Anne is very active in the community. As well as teaching Sunday school, she is a Harmony Day organiser and a volunteer with the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul 17

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19 Hamilton Mitchell Preparing for a Life on the Land with TAFE Western TAFE Western s qualification Certificate II in Agriculture is known as the course to go to for a career on the land. Hamilton Mitchell was a graduate of the course a few years ago, and has since undertaken the more intensive Agriculture Certificate III and IV studies at Dubbo College. Although only 20, he is now an overseer at Egelabra Merino Stud in Warren, NSW one of the country s oldest, largest and finest sheep properties. Hamilton has that kind of down-to-earth modesty common out bush, yet admits he s come a long way in a short time. This is particularly so as he grew up in Penrith, in Sydney s western suburbs, where the closest thing he had to a tractor was a toy. I certainly always did have a passion for farms and tractors and animals, Hamilton said. He also had relatives in Coonamble, NSW, whom he loved to visit. It was a bit unusual. On school holidays my mates would head to the city and the beaches I d head to Coonamble and stay with my cousins. His desire to be in the country was no passing phase. Hamilton took on a stint of work experience in Walgett, in far-western New South Wales. He left school in Year 10, determined to find his own way west, when fate intervened. It s funny how the world works, Hamilton said, relating how his parents got to chatting with a complete stranger over a drink at a Penrith hotel. The stranger, now a close family friend, was Ken Cross. Ken happened to be in Penrith to have his knee joints replaced at a city hospital. As a result, he would be in need of a bit of help when he returned to Lona, his cattle property in the state s central west. The next day Ken met Hamilton, heard about the teenager s dream and the two shook hands over his hospital bed. You know, there are lots of nice people in the world, you just have to meet them, Ken recalled. I gave Hamilton some experience in fattening up my steers and he was very handy; he just loves the work. After three or four months with Ken, I knew I wasn t going back to the city, Hamilton said. But I didn t have much of a resume just people s word that I half-knew what I was doing half the time! His family spotted a TAfe Western advertisement in OUtbACK magazine, gave Hamilton a call and he was off to Dubbo for eight weeks of study then employment with Egelabra, further study and eventual advancement to an overseer s position. Hamilton agrees money has never been his motivation. It s the lifestyle; you don t do it for the money, he says. I have friends who worked at Maccas working less hours and earning more than I was. Now, they re still at Maccas and I ve got my own place and I m working as an overseer. Acknowledgement: This story was originally written for OUtbACK magazine by Richard Bryce

20 Andrew Reynolds 2012 Vocational Student of the Year, TAFE Western Systems Analyst Australia and New Zealand, Devro 20 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives Andrew Reynolds wish after completing his traineeship with TAFE Western was to continue to develop his career until he became the best in the industry a wish that fast seems to be becoming a reality. Andrew is currently the Systems Analyst Australia and New Zealand for Devro, a global food packaging company with its Australian operations based in Bathurst, a role that he started in May 2013 and one that keeps him busy. Andrew s day consists of taking help desk calls and performing maintenance relating to the network and server infrastructure at Devro s Bathurst plant, the central data centre in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as sales offices in Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong and Japan. When not working on these issues he is charged with projects that improve the capacity, performance and reliability of all of Devro s systems across the globe. In his spare time, Andrew is studying a Masters of Network and Systems Administration at Charles Sturt University by distance, a course that he was admitted straight into based on his work experience and previous study at TAfe. TAfe Western provided an adult, friendly and productive environment for my studies and my traineeship, Andrew said. Because of TAfe Western and the qualifications I attained, I am now in a much better career situation than I was when I first started my studies. Without TAfe I would be unqualified, and struggling for meaningful work. Now, I have a life long career and a vision of where I am going in life. Andrew s journey began in 2011, when he undertook a traineeship at TAfe Western s Bathurst College working for the Information Communication Technology Unit whilst undertaking a Certificate III in Information Technology. During his traineeship Andrew s hard work and dedication allowed him to successfully complete not only the Certificate III, but also a second traineeship, the Certificate IV in Information Technology (General) at distinction level, as well as the Certificate IV in Networking. In 2012, Andrew was named one of TAfe Western s Vocational Students of the Year. His teacher, Chris Jones said, Andrew had knowledge of the IT area well above his years. The fact that Andrew completed three courses and two traineeships in one year showed his passion and commitment to his work, his colleagues and his traineeship.

21 Did you know? TAFE Western is the specialist traineeship provider for many employers, with over 1500 trainees currently being supported across NSW and nationally. Trainees learn new skills that can be put immediately into practice in the workplace. Andrew secured a role working with the Department of Education and Communities (dec) Regional Information Communication Technology Unit in Orange, whilst he completed his Diploma of IT at TAfe Western s Bathurst College. He then moved to the Livestock Health and Pest Authority where he was the top network administrator looking after the government department s corporate network for 60 sites across the state, before joining Devro in May My traineeship at TAfe was good preparation not only for future employment, but also for further education. Because of TAfe, Andrew said I have a better career. Because of TAFE I have a better career. 21

22 Robyn Eyears Diploma Aboriginal Studies 22 TAFE WesTErn Changing Lives Robyn Eyears completed a Diploma in Aboriginal Studies at TAFE Western s Yarradamarra Centre at Dubbo College in 2011, and graduated from Charles Sturt University with a Degree in Social Science (Welfare) in February Robyn is currently the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Child and Young Peoples Service Integration Coordinator for Mental Health, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service, at the Children s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service in Brisbane. We caught up with Robyn to talk about life after TAfe. Q: WhAT are you doing now? A: I have an amazing job working with children between 7 and 14 years old, who have drug, alcohol and mental health concerns. I provide linkages between families and community support services such as accommodation or education. I also work with the Youth Detention Centre in Brisbane to ensure that there is a wraparound cultural service for when the children are released so that they don t disappear into thin air. My region covers the Brisbane River area 632 km from Brisbane to Rockhampton, and 270km to the North West to Murgon. There are many child, youth and mental health clinics in this area and I am the person they call for cultural advice and support when working with Aboriginal people. Q: How did TAFE change your life? A: I had never been shy, but lacked confidence. I gave up at school, because when I tried and did well people thought I had cheated. My kids had grown up and I wanted to get back into the workforce. I was working as a Cultural Liaison Officer in the prison system, but wanted to do more. The more questions I asked about what I could do, the more questions I had and eventually, 20 years after leaving school, I went to TAfe.

23 Did you know? TAFE Western has two specialist Aboriginal learning centres. The new Winhanganha Centre in Orange has state of the art training facilities for Children s Services and Aboriginal Health and Dentistry. The Yarradamarra Centre in Dubbo is a centre of excellence for Aboriginal Studies, Culture and Music. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be in the position I now find myself in. I have just graduated from a Degree in Social Science (Welfare). Has TAfe changed my life? Yes. I got my current job because I have the skills and the confidence that TAfe helped me gain, and I now earn more than double what I did. I also now have a number of qualifications, but my Diploma of Aboriginal Studies will always be where I found a place, not just to gain an educational qualification, but the passion, strength and drive to achieve some amazing stuff. Q: WhAT advice do you have for someone who is leaving school? A: Whilst I was working in the prison system, I met an elderly man who said to me Never let fear hold you back and when you take that to heart and ask yourself whether the only reason you are not doing something is because you are afraid, then nothing will hold you back. Recently, Robyn s teachers Maryann Seymour and Connie Ah See at the Yarradamarra Centre received this from Robyn: I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be in the position I now find myself in. I have just graduated from a Degree in Social Science (Welfare). I would never in my wildest dreams have thought that I would have even attempted a Diploma let alone have finished it and my first thought was to thank you. You will never understand the difference you make to people s lives. You appear to have such untiring faith in someone s ability to achieve, and from that I simply thought I could do it, and I have continued to move forward since then as you will see. Some quick facts: I am the first in my family to get a diploma I am the first in my family to have more than one I am the first in my family to have a degree And I now see myself as a good role model to not only my children, but also to my extended family. Robyn has now completed with TAfe Western: Certificate IV Training and Assessment, Diploma of Management, Diploma in Government, Diploma Training and Assessment, Diploma of Child Youth and Family Intervention, Diploma of Project Management, and a Degree Social Science (Welfare) with Charles Sturt University 23

24 Left to right: Lorraine Smith, Michael Rofe, Rachel Cupitt, Natalie Purvis, Simone Carroll-Germech 24 TAFE WESTERn Changing Lives Commitment to providing industry standard training of the highest quality TAFE Western s AWArd Winning Outdoor Recreation and Fitness TeAM The Outdoor Recreation and Fitness team at TAfe Western s Lithgow College has shown an outstanding capacity for reinventing itself in response to a challenging environment. The TVet (TAfe delivered Vocational Education and Training at school) Outdoor Recreation program meets the needs of more than 40 schools and 400 students annually. Head Teacher, Dr. Lorraine Smith and the rest of the team have an incredibly strong commitment to providing training of the highest quality. They are also responsible for a range of programs which are a great example of strong industry partnership and collaboration. One example of this over the last two years has been the rollout of online delivery across the team s fitness and outdoor recreation courses. Implementing this change has involved the team taking a collaborative approach to learning new skills and developing new delivery models. The Outdoor Recreation and Fitness team are passionate about what they do and have a reputation for strength of delivery and customer service. This is proven by the recognised fact that industry across regional and state boundaries seeks delivery from TAfe Western s Outdoor Recreation and Fitness team

25 Tom Hughes Tom Hughes came to study with TAFE Western through his Certificate III Outdoor Recreation traineeship with the Outdoor Education Group OEG, one of TAFE Western s industry partners. TAFE Western s Outdoor Recreation traineeship combines training featuring highly skilled teaching staff and training individualised to the student s current competence and outdoor experience, with hands on work with an employer. Tom had been a lifeguard as well as worked at ski resorts for about four years before realising that he needed formal qualifications in outdoor recreation to have the career he wanted. Companies like OEG need someone qualified to lead challenging programs and distance kayaking, canoeing and walking programs, he said. The Outdoor Recreation Team at Lithgow College is inspiring and includes the best educators I have ever come across, Tom said. They have a reputation in the industry for being the best trainers. They opened my eyes to further study and helped me to find my inner potential. I had struggled at school and didn t realise what I could achieve. Once he had successfully completed his first traineeship, Tom progressed through a Certificate IV traineeship as well. He then worked for 2-3 years for a range of outdoor education providers before deciding that he would like to go to university. Tom applied to go to university as a mature age student to study a dual degree in teaching incorporating Outdoor Recreation and Physical Education. Although not originally accepted in the course, Lorraine Smith worked with Tom and the university, assisting him to gain entry into La Trobe University in Bendigo, Victoria. I want to be the best I can be, said Tom. I work with schools and students who range in age from 8 to 18 years old providing outdoor programs. It takes flexibility, leadership and patience and you need to be willing to take feedback. Every day I find it inspiring! Tom is now in his final year of study and will then progress to teaching 25 Did you know? Your experience, skills and industry knowledge is valuable and can be recognised through TAFE Western s Recognition of Prior Learning services. The Institute also has a specialised Trade Skills recognition service for people who have been working in a trade or industry for at least four years.

26 Skye Forster From Apprentice to Second in Charge Learning the tools of the trade 26 TAFE WesTErn Changing Lives Skye is nearing the end of his plumbing apprenticeship with Scott Ferguson Plumbing Services based in Blayney. Skye s apprenticeship journey started in Year 11 and 12 of school when he studied a School Based Apprenticeship Statement of Attainment that counted towards a full Certificate III in Plumbing as well as his HSC. Skye s course also involved some work experience with his future employer Scott Ferguson who took Skye on for a full apprenticeship once he had completed high school. In addition to running his plumbing business, Scott Ferguson is the Mayor of Blayney Shire, and is Chair of the Board at SkillSet, a notfor-profit Group Training Organisation and the largest employer of apprentices and trainees in regional NSW. SkillSet works closely in partnership with TAfe Western as a key training provider for apprentices and as a member of the board, Scott is a strong advocate for addressing skills shortages through apprenticeship training. At 19, Skye is already second in charge to his employer; a role that includes supervising subcontractors and labourers and manning the business when Scott is away on mayoral duties. On a typical day, Skye will have contact with clients, manage building contractors, plan job schedules, provide tool box briefings, complete risk management assessments, install hot water units, set toilet pans, fix a lot of drainage lines, as well as building and fixing commercial swimming pools. In fact, Skye and Scott have recently been to Italy to be trained in a specialised building system for commercial swimming pools. We caught up with them recently to talk about the benefits of apprenticeships.

27 Did you know? TAFE Western is the region s specialist apprenticeship training organisation with over 50 years experience. Currently supporting over 1500 apprentices in a range of industries, TAFE Western is a proven performer in apprenticeship training with students and employers guaranteed the highest quality apprenticeship experience. Q: WhAT value do apprentices bring to a business? Scott: Apprenticeships provide a unique learning and working situation for students, and I believe one of the best ways to build your business is by taking on an apprentice. The business gains an employee that will be trained in the ways of that business and who understands the needs of the client. It was a huge advantage for me that Skye had already completed his TVet course in plumbing whilst at school. It meant that he didn t have to go to TAfe for over a year as he had already completed the first year of his apprenticeship, as well as some of the second year. This meant that Skye could concentrate on working in my business and build his skills. Skye also left school with experience in working with people, and had an understanding of the plumbing business. Not many teenagers that leave school after year 12 have these skills. Skye: The first two years of an apprenticeship give you a good grasp of technical skills, and then in the third year you are able to take on more responsibility. We are off to Italy to learn a new system of installing commercial pools. Only half a dozen people in Australia are licensed to build pools in this way, which will be the way of the future. This will set me up in a career that I will be able to take around the world - not many apprentices get this opportunity. Once I have finished my apprenticeship though, I hope to stay with Scott and become a part of the business! Q: WhAT advice do you have for others interested in trade training? Skye: Always finish your apprenticeship yes it is hard work, yes you have to put up with low wages for a couple of years, but if you finish your apprenticeship you will always have your trade to fall back on. Scott: If you think you might like to do an apprenticeship, then try and get some work experience with a company whilst you are at school. Work experience is a great way for a business to source future apprentices as a business will quite often make room for a student that they think will make a good apprentice! 27 SkillSet and TAfe Western work together throughout the region, combining our services to make apprenticeships work. TAfe Western s high quality and well-resourced trades training programs combined with SkillSet s apprentice mentoring and support programs guarantee better outcomes and higher completion rates, good for the apprentice, the business owner and the future of the trade. Craig Randazzo, CEO SkillSet

28 Photo by Brody Mendham, winner Snap Your Skills 2013 competition and student in Certificate IV Interactive Digital Media. Find us on facebook: Phone: