2008 Trades & Skills Teacher Awards winners
The 2008 Trades and Skills Teachers Awards recognise the best teachers in trades, skills and vocational training. Recently, the winners were announced.
This years winners are profiled below. Congratulations to all involved!
Michael Cochrane, Automotive
Bruce Simpson, Bakery
David O’Dea, Cookery
Jane Trewin, Hairdressing
Stuart Hoxley, Fitout and Finish
Ronald Duffield, Building & Construction Services
Steve Wicks, Fabrication
Leigh Harris, Metals & Engineering
Charles Dornan, Mineral Resources
Jeff Smith, Conservation and Land Management
Brian Heim, Agriculture
Stephen Anderson, Advanced Manufacturing
David McKee, Electrical
Michael Landers, Building & Construction Services
Michael Cochrane, Automotive, TAFE NSW Western Sydney
Michael has 20 years broad experience as an automotive teacher. His present title is Head Teacher. In 2001 Michael was at the forefront of workplace training with Toyota Australia and went on to develop many other workplace based programs and to design customized training programs including one to fast-track apprenticeship training for Heartland Holden.
Michael ensures a stimulating learning environment whether on campus or in the workplace and encourages the pursuit of excellence. He has worked on COAG Express program on Saturdays to fast track applicants through their qualifications thus addressing skill shortages.
Michael has written learning outcomes for automotive curriculum for TVET Framework
In 2006 Michael was awarded an Institute’s Excellence in Teaching award and received the Heartland Holden/Institute award for Innovative Automotive Training Strategy Award.
Michael has introduced other trainers to his model thus ensuring that the program with industry continues to meet the expectations of employers, staff and students.
Bruce Simpson, Bakery, Wodonga Institute of TAFE
Bruce is Wodonga TAFE head bakery teacher. Over the past five years, Bruce has engaged industry stakeholders to develop strategies to support industry development, providing extraordinary leadership to take things forward. Bruce has initiated regular industry meetings on campus which have become very well accepted by bakery owners and managers.
Bruce has facilitated a process with industry that has led to an initiative to attract mature age apprentices through a fast track program he designed. Key aspects of the fast track program were helping employers identify suitable candidates, developing a tailored training program that satisfies stakeholders and the use of the on-line environment. He has designed an Apprentice Blog site, is a champion of best practice and has contributed to the professional development of bakery owners, managers and other trained staff. He has organized a number of excursions for industry representatives.
Bruce developed a partnership with highly acclaimed Milawa Bakery to provide artisan bread-making courses to industry representatives as a professional development opportunity.
The bakery program has been modelled across other teaching sections at Wodonga TAFE as an example of best practice with employers and a means to developing mutually beneficial business solutions, particularly in warehousing and logistics.
David O’Dea, Cookery, TAFE NSW Riverina Institute
Excellence and innovation in serving industry
David has been a teacher of commercial cookery at TAFE NSW for 13 years. References from business owners indicate David achieves high levels of engagement of industry “David is one of the most passionate trade teachers…” David continually works with local industry ... to help develop the careers of young aspiring chefs.”
David has solidified relationships with industry in Thailand following a professional development to observe the training of chefs in 2006 and a return visit in 2007. He has developed numerous commercial cooking teaching and learner resources, particularly focusing on flexible delivery options to suit employers and employees. Examples are a bridging course for pastry chefs, a food safety and quality system of management resources and an implementation guide and assessment documents for a new course.
He has mentored and judged at several World Skills competitions and he coached a first year apprentice for Tasting Australia Competition who later won an overseas scholarship at another competition. He has assisted students applying for scholarships and has secured financial support for applicants for competitions. David has established a scholarship fund for students of Riverina which allows two regional apprentices each year to work in five star or “Hatted” restaurants in major cities.
Jane Trewin, Hairdressing, Gordon Institute of TAFE
Jane is an award winning hairdresser who has been in the industry for 30 years and has been an educator at Gordon Institute of TAFE for 7 years. In 2007 she won both the Victorian outstanding teacher/trainer of the year and the best teacher/educator for the National Hair and Beauty Industry Association. She also won her Institute’s TAFE teacher of the year award.
Jane has set up regional hairdressing competitions where 22 RTOs have participated.
Jane has judged numerous competitions for World Skills, Hair and Beauty Industry Assn, International Hairdressing Society and in 2008 the Victorian teacher of the year.
Acting on research which she conducted with industry, Jane set up the Victorian Regional Hairdressing Network to create a partnership of practitioners and industry to improve and increase demand-driven high quality training.
Jane has implemented a teacher training program for her team to take on the new internationally influenced resources she developed and to work with a new training package.
She has introduced a new specialist course which has now become a very successful fee for service earner for her Institute. As part of her commitment to innovative teaching and flexible learning methods, she has devised latest technology solutions and led students on a study tour to Europe.
Stuart Hoxley, Fitout and Finish, Swinburne University (TAFE)
Stuart has been the team leader of the building and construction team at Swinburne since 2006. He was awarded TAFE teacher of the year award in 2004. Before this he ran a successful building business for over 10 years. Stuart has been responsible for leading significant changes to delivery methods including the development of a blended learning model which is a web based assessment and learning approach to theory work on a course. This model has also been adopted by the HIA.
Stuart has implemented training in sustainability and green building techniques based on learning from professional development activities he has pursued. He was granted a scholarship this year to visit the USA to examine sustainable building technologies which can be used to inform activities at Swinburne.
Stuart has worked closely with students in transition from school placing great emphasis on the importance of understanding learning styles and engaging learners. A retention rate among students at his section at Swinburne has been a high of 90% with student surveys showing a high degree of satisfaction with the work of the building teaching team. He has worked on a project to promote professional development to ensure teachers join students in lifelong learning and ensures new sessional teachers are well inducted.
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Ronald Duffield, Building & Construction Services, Challenger TAFE
Ron has 20 years TAFE experience and is an Advanced Skills Lecturer. Recently, he has been working on an advisory committee for the introduction of future “professional portfolios” for all licensing and among other committees sits on the curriculum area group for plumbing qualifications. He has received over the years a number of commendations from his college particularly the 2007 Excellence in Leadership award.
His work with industry has also been commended and his development of a pre-apprenticeship program which the then Minister for Training inspected and applauded is exemplary. This ministerial meeting led to the consideration and then action on migrant programs of recognition of overseas qualifications. Ron has been instrumental in ensuring that 350 skilled migrants have been able to take up positions that address the skills shortage over the last three years.
Ron has taught a wide range of programs and has introduced eight programs to better meet the needs of industry and students. An on line training program is set for release in late 2008 and this came from winning the right to provide all training for plumbing licensing courses on behalf of the Training Accreditation Council.
His use of a remote training strategy has seen industry welcome this initiative as it reduces time spent away from the job.
Steve Wicks, Fabrication, TAFE NSW New England
Excellence and innovation in serving industry
Steve has been a teacher of engineering for 14 years and is now the head teacher of the trades and primary industry faculty, prior to that he worked as a foreman for two engineering works. A reference from a BHP Billiton representative describes Steve as not only an excellent teacher and mentor but …seeks out opportunities to identify and meet the local training needs of industry and local business.
Steve is known for his constant search for new ideas and ways to achieve excellence in education. Examples are organizing five school-based trainees in 2007, one of whom won a regional and state World Skills award; forming and designing a program with a BHP Billiton for Year 10 students ensuring their increased employability; reviving the Try-a-Trade program, with a Skills Taster Day and 4x4 career development activity, all to inspire the next generation of apprentices.
His innovation with women’s decorating welding classes over four years has been highly successful with disadvantaged students achieving well and in some cases setting up micro businesses. He regularly visits local schools to promote his trade as a good initial career step and has been involved with the community through work projects for students with Rotary and other service organizations.
Leigh Harris, Metals & Engineering, Mechanical, Chisholm Institute
Leigh joined Chisholm Institute in 2003 and has taught a range of engineering and industrial automation courses. He worked as a maintenance fitter and supervisor after service in the navy as a marine propulsion technician. Leigh is secretary of the Vic Engineering Trades Senate which acts as a link between industry, government and training organisations.
Leigh recently developed a series of refresher training courses for GM Holden, setting up an onsite classroom and delivering to more than 50 staff. This work was competitively gained for Chisholm and Leigh as trainer. He has adapted a mechatronics course available at the advanced diploma level to be suitable for level three apprentices to assist employers who were unable to attract skilled staff.
He uses the internet to keep in touch with students, encouraging their motivation and help with practices to implement immediately in the workplace. He encourages apprentices to stay after their class finishes so they can network with the advanced diploma students to take advantage of this extra learning opportunity. He developed a 10 week introductory course for year 10 high school students as a hands-on trial of engineering as a career opportunity.
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Charles Dornan, Mineral Resources, Central TAFE
Charles has 20 years training experience. He is currently a lecturer and course coordinator for Central TAFE’s mining and geoscience section which supplies graduates to mining and exploration companies across Australia. Charles has provided assistance for the national rewriting of mining training competencies and is assiduous in responding to industry requests and enquiries.
Charles has designed and run commercial training programs in sampling, geology, mining practice, and dilution. He has written and produced a trainee workbook for Certificate II – field/exploration practices. He obtains work placements for his students of up to two weeks for 60 students p.a. and has equipment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets bequeathed for student use.
Charles instigated two fields trips a year to Santa Barbara Mines. The camp is taxing but gives a taste of the mineral exploration industry. The students have a major role in preparing and planning and purchasing food for their meals and in planning for safety. Whilst work is unpaid the experience is invaluable and final competencies are assessed on site. In recognition of higher female student numbers plus a number of migrants, Charles has organised appropriate cross-cultural and sexual harassment information presentations four times per year.
Jeff Smith, Conservation and Land Management, Chisholm Institute
Jeff has been a teacher at Chisholm since 2006. He is the co-ordinator of horticulture and agriculture programs at the Education Centre Gippsland and provides private consultancy services. He works directly with employers, government agencies and contractors as well as with local groups as there is no central industry body that does this.
Jeff has tailored his teaching to the particular demand for skills, for example currently the need for skills for electronic mapping or geographical information systems and is establishing an apprenticeship course to provide pathways for students through the industry and to encourage employers to continue to train their employees.
Jeff has focused on doing as a most effective way of learning. His students regularly take part in field trips through which he encourages mixing with other groups as a way of sharing learning experiences more broadly. He encourages his students to become actively involved in community long term restoration and sustainability projects and endeavours to fit assessments into this broader context.
Jeff has contributed to putting more learning resources on-line which he regards as particular benefit to part-time students and allowing for students to work at their own pace and he has put together a webpage on learning materials for the geographical information systems course.
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Brian Heim, Agriculture, Charles Darwin University
This year Brian won a Vice Chancellor’s award for outstanding contributions to student learning. Brian has worked as a VET program manager and lecturer in pastoral and animal studies for five years. Prior to that he was the director of a veterinary nursing program in Texas for six years after having spent six years in private practice. In Texas he led the development and implementation of the largest and most successful distance learning program for vet nurses. He has maintained his registration as a veterinary surgeon.
Brian developed and delivered an innovative industry course to accredit laypersons as pregnancy testers for export cattle and delivered an external program in Cert II Animal Studies. The courses have met with high industry demand and have contributed to Brian’s high standing with industry groups in the Territory and contribution to the the agricultural industry, the second largest industry (behind mining) with the mainstay of agriculture being the live export cattle industry.
He is now recognised by peak pastoral industry bodies as the leading expert in delivery and assessment of pregnancy testing skills. In 1996 he was selected by the Chief Veterinary Officer of the NT in 1996 to conduct a consultancy to develop and implement a strategy to deal with a new AQIS requirement to test live cattle for pregnancy before the animals were allowed to board a ship. Western Australia officials have invited Brian to conduct programs for their state.
Stephen Anderson, Advanced Manufacturing, TAFE NSW Sydney Institute
Stephen is a head teacher of screen printing having been a trade teacher for 26 years. He received an award of excellence in recognition of his teaching in 2007. He has acted as an independent industry expert in litigation cases in the area of press and prepress screen print and has been an industry expert judge in the Australasian screen print award twice in the late 90s.
He established a screen printing course for Years 11 and 12 exposing the students to a career and employment opportunity. Stephen has been involved in negotiations for delivering a training package for correctional services in the near future.
He has represented TAFE NSW in four Image Expos where training needs are discussed with employers, suppliers and the public and has been able to obtain donations of latest technology through his relationship with industry suppliers. Steve pre-empts likely technology shifts and changes in artwork preparation in his purchasing and to be ahead of the game in providing emerging training needs.
David McKee, Electrical, SkillsTech Australia
David has worked closely with employers to enable flexible learning students to work on their own policies and procedures, e.g. risk management. David has supervised and co-ordinated two co-provider agreements where employers have their own trainers and work under SkillsTech’s RTO status. He has dealt directly with employers in relation to RPL, cross credits and gap training for workers to get a Qld electrical licence.
David has provided a flexible learning model so that students in conjunction with their employers chose where and when learning occurs. He appreciates that some mature age or advanced students have considerable knowledge but do not fit RLP guidelines. In the flexible model they can rapidly complete assignments and assessments in those areas and concentrate on the gap in their knowledge.
David’s teaching method is the only method in Queensland which permits students to accelerate in the electrical training system and finish early. He has a personal approach to teaching and finishes the end of a subject with a face to face interview with each student. He regards this as important particularly for second-chance learners.
Michael Landers, Building & Construction Services, TAFE NSW South Western Sydney
In consultation with industry curriculum centre Michael designed and now is in charge of the Certificate 3 in Stonemasonry. This resulted in the Skill Express Stonemasonry assessment program and is recognised by the Department of Fair Trading and is highly recognised by industry.
Since his appointment in 2007 he has been active in increasing student numbers and retention. In fact there has been a 25% increase in apprenticeship intakes. He also models training on the emerging needs of industry which has seen the creation of new training facilities at college.
His apprentices have won awards for excellence and Michael uses his networks to arrange industry placements and employment. He is a permanent member of the Board of Trustees for the prestigious George Proudman Scholarship which aims to protect the traditional stonemasonry skills.
He has developed on line systems and WIKI site which can be used by students which makes programs more widely available. This is supplemented by on site delivery which is accepted by industry through community projects in the Sydney area.
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