From hospitality to automotive apprenticeships, community service diplomas to agriculture, farming and viticulture, or even if you just want to dip your toe back in for a short course, vocational education and training (VET) can offer you the skills you need to get your career going.
Every year, people and organisations from all over Australia compete to become the very best apprentice, trainee, vocational student, VET teacher, employer or training provider in the country.
Watch footage of the 2011 Australian Training Awards.
The people and organisations involved in the Australian Training Awards are the true champions of the skills sector. Read their stories or watch their interviews below, and see how easy it can be to improve your job prospects, life and career goals through VET!
Master in the kitchen
2011 Australian Apprentice of the Year
Colin Wilson
A qualified fitter and turner, Colin Wilson worked in various jobs and industries for twenty years before deciding to pursue his passion for food and cooking. In 2008 with the support of his wife and family, he left his well paying job to undertake a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery.
Now a fully qualified Chef after completing his Australian Apprenticeship, Colin is passionate about encouraging others to follow in his footsteps.
‘Although it was a big decision to change careers, I believe you should follow a career path that involves something you are passionate about. I really believe that passion and planning were the keys to getting me through the last few years successfully,’ Colin said.
Determined to succeed, Colin used his maturity to his benefit while completing his Australian Apprenticeship.
‘I used my life experience to help me find the best way to get where I wanted to be. This helped me fast track my career by enabling me to gain competency in my studies as well as in the workplace.’
Colin now runs Chateau Yering’s award winning Sweetwater Café in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. This has inspired him to pursue management studies which has awakened a passion for teaching.
‘Once I complete my Certificate III in Training and Assessment I hope to be able to teach commercial cookery part time. I also plan to own and run a small restaurant and I'm constantly planning and refining my ideas for that.’
Watch an interview with Colin Wilson.
Australian Apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) are available to anyone of working age. You don’t need a secondary school certificate or other qualification to be able to do an Australian Apprenticeship. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
100 successful years
2011 Employer of the Year
Hutchinson Builders
Established in 1912, Hutchinson Builders is Queensland’s largest privately owned construction company, employing more than 1000 people including 160 Australian Apprentices.
Hutchinson believes that one of the fundamental keys to achieving and sustaining high levels of motivation within its workforce is a comprehensive and committed approach to the design and implementation of professional and personal development programs.
‘At Hutchinson we offer a career not a job. We believe that people are our strength therefore we are continually building our capacity to provide our employees with skills and personal development support that stretches from recruitment right through to the tertiary level if needed. Our whole program is about valuing our employees and lifting their skills so that we can lift the capacity and capability of the company,’ says Training Manager, Alan Waldron.
2012 will see Hutchinson Builders celebrate 100 years of operations, but don’t expect to see the company resting on its laurels.
‘Whilst this award is great start to our 100 year celebrations, 2012 will see a continued expansion of the company. As part of this expansion, Hutchies envisage that their Australian Apprentice numbers will continue to grow towards 200 and be spread across all our offices in Australia.’
Watch an interview with Hutchinson Builders.
Employing an Australian Apprentice is a smart investment in your business future. Investing in training through an Australian Apprenticeship can provide your business with real benefits and contribute to your bottom line. A range of financial incentives may be available to employers who employ an eligible Australian Apprentice. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
An extraordinary tail!
2011 Small Employer of the Year
Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic
The Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic offers high quality animal veterinary services to all creatures great and small in the rural South Australian town of Murray Bridge and its surrounding districts. The Clinic is committed to investing in vocational education and training in order to create a satisfying, productive working environment for its staff.
The Clinic provides nationally accredited training qualifications to every staff member and complements this with a range of internal and external training opportunities.
Practice Manager, Jacqui Kempe believes that a large part of the success of the Clinic is due to its focus on staff development.
‘For us it’s about seeing people develop their careers within the business and seeing people have opportunities - particularly in the rural setting that we’re in. Training, which is intrinsically linked to the goals of the Clinic and improved business performance, contributes to a happy productive team of employees who can prosper and develop personally while developing professionally in their careers. This award is fantastic recognition for our staff and what they have achieved,’ Jacqui said.
MBVC also understands that individuals have different learning styles and training requirements. Staff members are therefore responsible for identifying their training needs and interests and developing personalised training plans. Individual training plans are then implemented though an internal mentoring system.
‘Our veterinary nurses spend one day a week at TAFE then on-the-job we give them a senior nurse to mentor them so what they are learning at TAFE is brought into the real world and they can become competent within the workplace.’
TAFE SA training is integrated with in-clinic training, with trainees and veterinary nurse students working with mentors and participating in case studies alongside their formal lectures and workshop training.
‘Improved business performance and profitability are some of the significant benefits that can be attributed directly to our staff training. Of equal importance are the benefits we have seen through improvement in staff morale, in-house communications, and consistency in quality patient care and customer service - all of which result in improved customer satisfaction.’
Watch an interview with Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic.
Employing an Australian Apprentice is a smart investment in your business future. Investing in training through an Australian Apprenticeship can provide your business with real benefits and contribute to your bottom line. A range of financial incentives may be available to employers who employ an eligible Australian Apprentice. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
Making a difference
Abbey Sergeant
2011 Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
An active member of her local netball, football and Rotary club, Abbey Sergeant is a well known and respected member of her community.
Keen to stay in the Katanning Shire and make a positive contribution to her community, Abbey applied for a position as a trainee Youth Development Office with the local council.
‘I wasn’t interested in moving away from Katanning. So I decided to apply for an Australian Apprentice (Trainee) position because it meant I could finish my Certificate III in Community Services, while earning money and getting on-the-job training and experience,’ Abbey said.
During her time as a trainee Youth Development Officer, Abbey had a range of responsibilities which revolved around organising and delivering programs for young people in her community. She found working with experienced colleagues while learning how to implement programs to be extremely beneficial.
‘During my traineeship I was always supported by a number of qualified people, all of whom were willing to share their knowledge and experience with me. Winning this award is not only great recognition for me, but it also recognises the Katanning Shire and everyone that helped me during my traineeship.’
In addition to delivering programs to young people in her community, Abbey was responsible for applying and administering program grants, producing a monthly newsletter and speaking to local high school students about upcoming events.
‘It is really rewarding working on programs that help our disengaged youth continue learning or find a suitable career path,’ Abbey says.
Since successfully completing her traineeship Abbey has gained a position as a personal assistant to the acting Chief Executive Officer of Katanning Shire. Abbey would eventually like to further her studies at university, but until then she is more than happy to keep making a difference in the Shire of Katanning.
Watch an interview with Abbey Sergeant.
Australian Apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) are available to anyone of working age. You don’t need a secondary school certificate or other qualification to be able to do an Australian Apprenticeship. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
Lighting the way
Joshua Toomey
2011 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Joshua Toomey joined Ausgrid in 2006 through their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pre-Apprenticeship Program. With focus and diligence he gained a highly sought after Australian Apprenticeship position and has now completed his Certificate III Electricity Supply Industry - Distribution (Power Line) and is proud to be a qualified tradesman.
‘I decided I was going to be responsible and be a good role model for my child. It wasn’t always easy getting up at five am for four years and dealing with different people, but the other side of the coin was that feeling I had of self worth,’ Joshua said.
Joshua's strong academic achievements throughout his training reflect his dedication and determination to succeed, particularly as he began his pre-apprenticeship course with basic literacy and numeracy skills after dropping out of high school.
‘Before the ‘c’ word used to scare me because I had never ‘c’ommitted to finishing anything, but I worked hard and kept it simple. I found extra help and just kept coming back. My TAFE teachers walked with me and I put concentration into action. Now I love my job and the weapon of education. It’s knowing - not guessing all the time, and asking questions for myself instead of relying on what someone else tells me.’
With his communication skills, self determination and remarkable ability to motivate and encourage others, Joshua has not only transformed his own life over the last five years but also the lives of many other young Aboriginal people who have suffered educational and social disadvantages. With an acute awareness of the barriers that face many Indigenous young people during and after school, Josh is now strongly involved in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pre-Apprenticeship Program, actively mentoring and supporting the new students. In 2010 Josh developed a session for the program, called ‘Getting Right For The Fight’ which highlighted a range of ways that the students could prepare themselves for training and employment challenges. Josh has also participated in a range of leadership training programs, and is determined to support others in the way he has been supported.
‘Before I always thought people were better than me. Today I’m comfortable with myself. What kept me going when times were tough was my TAFE teachers – I got so much kindness, respect and love from them that they moulded me back to life. Now I’ve won this award, I can pass all of this on to so many other people.’
Watch an interview with Joshua Toomey.
Australian Apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) are available to anyone of working age. You don’t need a secondary school certificate or other qualification to be able to do an Australian Apprenticeship. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
Reaching the people
TAFE SA Regional
2011 Large Training Provider of the Year
TAFE SA Regional delivers 573 nationally accredited qualifications at 43 campuses and learning centres across regional South Australia catering to the needs of more than 24,000 students.
Flexible delivery is embedded in program values, with courses using a range of delivery methods, including classroom, e-learning, work-based, self-paced and through recognition of prior learning.
As a public registered training provider, TAFE SA Regional supports South Australia’s social and economic development through training that enhances career options, fosters regional employment and increases access for the disadvantaged and disengaged.
Managing Director, Denise Janek, believes that TAFE SA Regional prides itself on its ability to identify opportunities, overcome challenges and work with and for its culturally diverse communities.
‘We use established and emerging technologies, including video conferencing and a variety of social networking tools, to deliver and assess flexible, innovative and high quality training programs. This enables us to continuously reshape our delivery profile in response to student, enterprise and community demand.
‘As an example, through a combination of e-learning and flexible delivery, TAFE SA Regional developed a tailored program to meet the needs of regional engineering employers and their staff. This has seen a nine-fold increase in the number of fabrication and welding apprentices trained in the State’s Murraylands region in less than five years,’ Ms Janek added.
Such a result has not only assisted the local employers in reducing travel costs and time out of the workplace for their apprentices, it has had enormous flow-on benefits to the local communities in which these businesses operate and the apprentices and their families live.
‘We understand that the ability to create and build positive relationships with all of our stakeholders is the means to our continued success. We have therefore created an organisational structure which provides customer and account management services at all levels of the organisation.’
‘Our very deliberate strategy to broaden and deepen levels of customer and market engagement has resulted in TAFE SA Regional managers taking a very proactive approach to the management of our product range. Our scope of registration is regularly and critically reviewed - in 2010 alone we made 78 additions and changes in response to changes in market demand.’
‘Our staff are part of our community, they belong to the community and they work for the community. This is an award for our 1000 staff.’
Watch an interview with TAFE SA Regional.
No paws for thought
Jessica Pendlebury
2011 Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year
A love of animals and a determination to fast track her career through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship has seen Jessica Pendlebury become the first student at her TAFE to complete a Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing as an Australian School-based Apprentice. After successfully finishing a Certificate II in Animal Studies in Year 10, Jessica decided she wanted to be a fully qualified veterinary nurse by the time she completed high school in 2012.
‘When I finished my Certificate II I realised I wanted to do more study but I was told that it was impossible to complete a Certificate IV at high school. However, I convinced GOTAFE to let me try a certificate IV while at high school. It's pretty hard to balance TAFE and high school, but if it’s something that you love you've got to put your mind to it and keep working. I was shocked and privileged to have won this award,’ said Jessica.
Jessica’s persistence and ambition has been rewarded with the 2010 GOTAFE Outstanding Animal Online Student of the Year Award and the 2010 Assumption College Kilmore VET Student of the Year Award.
‘There are just so many advantages to completing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship. You learn about your chosen field through TAFE, and then you are able to put your knowledge into practice while you are at work - it makes learning easier and more interesting. Not only are there education advantages, there are plenty of personal ones too, including: gaining confidence, networking, gaining a larger understanding of the industry, meeting new and exciting people and you are able to 'earn while you learn'. On top of this, you can come away from high school with your school certificate and a TAFE qualification.’
In addition to her studies Jessica is an active member of her community.
‘I mentor younger students through tutoring both Animal Studies and Maths. I think it’s important to help them get through their studies and because I've been there before I know what it is like and how important help is.’
Thanks to the Australian School-based Apprenticeship Program at GOTAFE, Jessica has guaranteed employment with her current employer once she has completed her VCE and is considering her options of either working full-time or working part-time and undertaking further tertiary studies.
‘When I finish my Australian School-based Apprenticeship, I'd like to go to university to study Veterinary Science. I always wanted to be a veterinary nurse, but working in the clinic has shown me that Veterinary Science is what I want to do.’
Watch an interview with Jessica Pendlebury.
Australian Apprenticeships (often referred to as apprenticeships or traineeships) are available to anyone of working age. You don’t need a secondary school certificate or other qualification to be able to do an Australian Apprenticeship. Visit the Australian Apprenticeships website or phone 13 38 73 for more information.
Breaking down training barriers
Equalis
2011 Small Training Provider of the Year
Operating across metropolitan and regional areas of NSW, Equalis offers a wide variety of courses in the Community Services sector, including disability, youth, aged care and children’s services. The organisation is dedicated to expanding the education, skills base and professional qualifications of people working within the Community Services industry. This industry is where Narelle Henry, Equalis’s Owner and Director began her career and she is passionate and committed to ensuring clients supported by this industry receive the highest level of support possible.
Equalis’ training services and models are aimed at building the professional capacity of those working in the industry by working creatively and on a one-to-one basis with students and organisations to provide training to meet their specific needs. Equalis uses innovation and flexibility to ensure accessible, quality training regardless of geographical location, ability and financial capacity.
‘We ensure that there are no barriers to training. It's not about distance, it's not about ability and it's not about finances so we continue to challenge ourselves to meet a variety of needs,’ said Narelle.
Providing training to many rural and remote participants, Equalis has established a number of training models to meet the needs of clients and enable participants to choose the model that works best for them. Equalis tailor their training to meet individual and organisational needs and provide a comprehensive student support system.
‘Not everyone is able to commit to formal training 2-3 nights a week or some people may be located in a rural or remote area that, in the past, has limited access to formal training. In response to this, Equalis has established a number of training models that enable participants to choose the model that works best for them. All our training products are developed in-house. As such, they are contextualised to the learning and work environment – which enhances learner outcomes.’
A continuous improvement approach is embedded in Equalis’ business practices, including research and investigation of e-Iearning technologies along with regular student and stakeholder consultation to ensure practices are contemporary and meeting the needs of both parties.
‘Equalis will move into 2012 confident in what we are doing, so we will keep doing this plus we will invest further in our technology, our internal professional development and our student support systems. We plan to move to a cloud business system and student support system. We are excited about the future!’
The future certainly looks bright for this innovative training provider.
Watch an interview with Equalis.
In full bloom
Vanessa Corbell
2011 Vocational Student of the Year
Vanessa Corbell believes that if an opportunity presents itself, you should grab it with both hands. Vanessa’s passion for floristry began after a work accident in 2004 forced her to change career paths, and led to a job learning the basics of floristry. While she was unable to secure a traineeship in floristry at this time her passion for floristry never waned and in 2008 she commenced a Certificate II in Floristry at TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute. Through her studies Vanessa was able to gain employment in the floristry industry where she could practice her skills and develop her talents further.
‘I’m overwhelmed and So many people I speak with say that they have a dream, however they’re not following it. vocational education and training has allowed me to pursue my dream,’ says Vanessa.
Despite being diagnosed with severe dyslexia, Vanessa excelled in her vocational education and training studies with her skills being recognised and rewarded both at a state and national level. She was awarded first place in South Australia in the 2010 Oasis Designz Cup Competition and second place in the 2010 South Australian district Interflora Rising Star competition. She was also the recipient of the inaugural Interflora student award of distinction and 2011 South Australian district and national winner of the Interflora Florist of the Future competition.
‘Being part of and competing in floral competitions has really helped me to develop and broaden my skills and knowledge as a florist. It has given me the opportunity to compete against and work alongside the best of the best in the industry. The competition environment has really opened my eyes to the wealth of skill, talent and knowledge we have right here in Australia.’
While pursuing further study in Certificate III in Floristry, Vanessa found she was often pushed beyond her comfort zone, but she believes these experiences enabled her to gain confidence in her skills and highlighted to her what she is capable of achieving.
‘I know that my training pathway has been and will continue to be crucial to my career and successes. To date my proudest moments in life and career can all be attributed to my training. I’m overwhelmed to have won this award.’
Vanessa is now working full time as a qualified florist while continuing her studies part time to ensure her skills are always of the highest standard. She is currently enrolled in Certificate IV in Floristry which she hopes to complete in 2012 and is very excited about the introduction of the new Diploma of Floristry Design. She believes that a Diploma qualification will open yet more doors for her, provide her with an edge in a very competitive industry, and help her to achieve her ambition of one day owning her own business.
‘To be able to keep up to date with current trends, I will continue on this training pathway for the rest of my career in order to continue to be successful. I would also love to teach and inspire younger students and represent Australia at the Interflora world cup.’
Watch an interview with Vanessa Corbell.
Master class
Amanda Smith
2011 VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
Amanda Smith is passionate about food and wine. For more than 30 years Amanda has worked in the hospitality industry in both Australia and the United Kingdom as a chef, manager and trainer. Since 2005 in her role as a lecturer at South West Institute of Technology, she has been providing off-the-job training in Commercial Cookery to apprentice chefs from the Margaret River region. Through her training, Amanda aims to give students an appreciation and understanding of the South West’s local produce. In her highly practical ‘Paddock to Plate’ class, students meet with farmers, foragers, olive oil experts, truffle growers and vignerons to hear stories behind the food and how it gets to the table. Students also have the opportunity to press grapes and hunt for truffles and native bush foods indigenous to the area.
‘Many apprentice chefs were perhaps too familiar working with food which arrives in their kitchens already picked, pressed, slaughtered, sliced or packaged. I believe the chefs of tomorrow require exposure to the realities and appreciation of how produce ends up in the kitchen; to enable educated preferences for sustainable and ethically sourced food and to be able to make choices about what produce to use on their future menus,’ Amanda said.
As part of her training, Amanda also organises practical experience for her students through events such as the Leeuwin Estate Concert and the Margaret River Wine Region Festival.
‘Through participating in authentic events students have experiences which cannot be recreated at an institutional level.’
Amanda has recently developed a Certificate II in Hospitality course known as ‘Yummy Mummies’, tailored for women with school-aged children.
‘The motivation for this course came about as a contemporary approach to skilling our local workers particularly women in their 20 and 30’s with children at school. I identified these women as needing re-skilling or as a potential existing workforce that could be used in the hospitality sector. The classes are held in school friendly hours to ensure any disruption to family life is minimised.’
To continue her professional development, Amanda recently visited China and Singapore as a guest chef. This year she plans further travel to broaden her knowledge and skills.
‘Winning this award is a huge recognition and fantastic validation of the programs that I run. It will allow me the opportunity to travel to London and Paris in June and July 2012 to continue my professional development. During this trip I will visit other culinary institutions with a view to looking at programs I may be able to adapt to my institution and region.’
Watch an interview with Amanda Smith.
Finding common ground
SPC Ardmona in Collaboration with AMWU and the National Food Institute
2011 Industry Collaboration Award
Changing labour market conditions and a desire to support food processing industry workers led to a unique collaboration between SPC ARDMONA and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU). Occasionally on opposing sides of the bargaining table, SPC ARDMONA, the AMWU and NFI collaborated to develop an induction-to-leadership training program for more than 2000 workers, across three sites, in the Goulburn Valley.
With the financial support of government, the two parties successfully implemented training plans in conjunction with their registered training organisation, the National Food Institute. Resources were tailored to meet SPC ARDMONA site requirements with the delivery of training stretching over a 24 hour cycle, five days a week. The off season was used to increase off-the-job training, so more on-the-job training could be applied during the busy season.
‘The collaboration has given all employees the opportunity to undertake Certificate I through to Certificate III courses, which has led to nationally recognised qualifications in the areas of food processing and transport competencies. The Certificate I has been delivered to over 1000 employees and has become the agreed induction program and minimum qualification for the site. The Certificate II and III are being delivered to operators and team leaders and have proved effective and beneficial for both the individuals and the organisation’s performance. Extension of the collaboration is planned in the future to provide employees with the opportunity for higher qualifications. The next steps include the introduction of a Certificate IV in Food Processing. Beyond this, the opportunity for a Management Diploma is being considered,’ says Nick Bartholomew, Employee Engagement and Training Manager at SPC ARDMONA.
As a result of the collaboration the company and individuals have enjoyed bottom line, financial and equity benefits.
‘The link between skill, accountability and pay is now much clearer and the importance of broad skills and knowledge to company success is better understood. The general community has also benefitted through the skill development of the employees, improving labour force flexibility and quality of service.’
Victorian AMWU Regional Secretary for Food and Confectionary, Tom Hale believes the collaboration was a success as it was mutually beneficial.
‘Both parties had common goals, the AMWU wanted what was best for its members and SPC ARDMONA wanted highly skilled employees and it was really a matter of getting to a position where both of us understood that we would be more able to achieve our goals by working together. The workers who participated have recognised the benefits of this to themselves and the company,’ Tom said.
It is hoped that the collaboration will continue well into the future and provide an opportunity for both permanent and seasonal workers in this rural community an opportunity to gain a qualification.
Watch an interview with SPC Ardmona, the AMWU and the National Food Institute.
The future is green
TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute
2011 Skills for Sustainability – Educational Institution Award
Leading the way in systems and skills thinking for environmental management and sustainable education, TAFE New South Wales (NSW) - Western Sydney Institute exemplifies best practice as a responsible corporate citizen. For Western Sydney Institute, sustainability is more than a single program or initiative; it is a whole of business philosophy in the delivery of green skills training to 114,000 individual, community and industry learners.
‘As the urban sprawl continues and domestic and rural land holdings shrink, sustainable practices in agriculture, horticulture and food production are becoming more crucial. Our implementation of sustainable solutions in traditional workplace practices has attracted widespread industry interest and enabled the Institute to forge strong industry partnerships to reduce their carbon footprints and make ‘going green’ a reality’. With our industry partners we are leading training and research in vertical and rooftop gardens, land conservation and regeneration, and the latest farming technologies.’ explains Susan Hartigan, Western Sydney Institute Director.
Western Sydney Institute has leveraged industry partnerships and industry-led projects to access new and emerging technologies and practices, enabling training for new skills in state of the art facilities. The world class EcoSkills and Green Skills Hub centres are flagships of the Institute’s systemic green skills philosophy.
The GreenSkills Hub models sustainable practices and delivers a wide range of green skills sets and qualifications utilising emerging technologies in building management systems, carbon dioxide refrigeration technology and renewable energy systems. The innovative design enables multidiscipline, inter-related training across a range of areas including Building and Construction, Electrotechnology, Plumbing, Refrigeration and Information Technology.
The EcoSkills Centre comprises a green house, solar panels and gates, wind turbine, decagon with green roof panels and vertical gardens. Qualifications are delivered in areas such as sustainable management practices in agriculture, horticulture, farming; green roof gardening and food production to urban and rural communities. Community benefits include an improved environment for healthy living and well-being through sustainable practices and eco literacy.
Western Sydney Institute’s holistic approach is bringing sustainability to life and leading the region in environmental sustainability training for a sustainable future.
‘‘We're very excited and humbled to have won this award. It is the culmination of a three year journey – we won the large training provider last year and now we’ve won the skills for sustainability this year. We think this is a good indication of what we're doing, the good work we're doing in Western Sydney and the direction in which we are heading,’ adds Susan Hartigan.
Watch an interview with TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute.
Carving a niche
Dardanup Butchering Company
2011 Australian Apprenticeships – Employer Award
Dardanup Butchering Company (DBC) is a family-owned company situated in the South West of Western Australia. Founder, Frank Panizza, commenced operations in 1948, delivering door-to-door, the freshest and best red meat products that money could buy. Today, DBC employs over 200 Western Australians and is the only major integrated multi species abattoir in the state. DBC is comprised of five retail outlets, strategically located throughout the South West, three food service divisions, an abattoir and a variety of complementary departments, each of which requires highly skilled and specialised staff in order to run profitably and effectively.
When DBC found modern butchering training did not expose its Australian Apprentices to the wide range of animals necessary to their business, it went about designing its own training courses in conjunction with registered training organisation Training Solutions Australia. These days most training is done on-site which means employees do not have to make a two hour trip to Perth to undertake training.
‘Every employee likes to feel valued and part of that feeling of being valued is being trained correctly. DBC realises skilled staff are more productive, efficient and dedicated. Therefore, we offer nationally recognised training to every employee relevant to their role,’ says Training Coordinator, Crystal Potter.
DBC credits its high level of employee retention and satisfaction with the provision of nationally recognised training.
‘Our experience with vocational education and training has been extremely positive over the years. We’ve found qualifications specific to our industry are well planned whilst allowing adjustment for specific skill acquisition to shape our future workforce. At the moment, we have 35 Australian Apprentices completing Certificates II through to IV and four employees studying at the Diploma level.’
The provision of training not only provides immediate improvements on-the-job in regards to performance, yields, attitude and attendance, but it also prepares employees for future job responsibilities.
‘Planning for the future is imperative, hence our recent initiative of employing Australian School-based Apprentices which has been a very rewarding project for us. While some business’ shy away from employing Australian School-based Apprentices due to the training requirements involved, DBC looks at it as a great opportunity to train and skill our future workers the ‘DBC Way’. We are trying to prevent ‘True Butchers’ like the good old days becoming a dying breed. It is an amazing honour to be recognised for our efforts, in 2012 we aim to further improve our training strategies, take on more apprentices and continue striving to be an employer of choice.’
Watch an interview with Dardanup Butchering Company.
Instep with the times
John Forrest Secondary College – MPA Skills Partnership
2011 School Pathways to VET Award
Perth based John Forrest Secondary College caters for approximately 700 students drawn from broad socio economic and ethnic backgrounds. The College’s longstanding INSTEP program provides the framework through which a suite of vocational education and training (VET) pathways are provided for up to 100 students each year.
The College’s Principal, Di Turner believes the INSTEP program has been successful as it:
‘Provides flexible scheduling for students in Year 11 and 12, allowing them to engage in VET programs, traineeships and targeted workplace learning for two days each week. This means students can complete their secondary schooling, achieve Secondary Graduation and receive a Western Australian Certificate of Education on completion of Year 12, whilst also completing accredited training qualifications.’
In 2006, the College and MPA Skills (the principal training arm of the Master Plumbers & Gas Fitters Association (MPGA) of Western Australia (WA) and the Master Painters Australian Association (MPA) identified an opportunity to address the skills shortages in the plumbing trades while creating a greater variety of VET pathways for students. Since that time a unique partnership has evolved between JFSC and MPA Skills to deliver Certificate II pre-apprenticeship or Certificate III apprenticeship programs in plumbing and gasfitting and painting and decorating at the College’s state-of-the-art Trade Training Centre through the INSTEP program.
Through these programs, students begin the first stage of a mapped and highly supportive lifecycle for employment that begins with the integration of Australian School-based Apprenticeships within the senior school curriculum. This pathway continues through to potential employment by MPA Skills as a full-time Australian Apprentice on completion of Year 12 or in lieu of finishing secondary schooling. In 2011, 15 plumbing pre-apprentices, eight painting and decorating Australian School-based Apprentices and 260 Try-A-Trade students were engaged in these opportunities.
‘Try-A-Trade is an excellent opportunity to help students make an informed decision about a career in plumbing and gasfitting or painting and decorating. Try-A-Trade is a short practical 2 day hands-on program aimed at providing students with some insight into plumbing and gasfitting or painting and decorating,’ says Di.
The Program is expanding with student numbers increasing each year.
‘Awareness of the Program within schools and the community is continuing to grow - winning this award will certainly help people become more aware of the Program and what it has, and can, achieve. We are confident that the Program has a sustainable future.’
Watch an interview with John Forrest Secondary College.
Leading by example
Jeanette Allen
2011 Leadership in Quality Award
Jeanette Allen is the Chief Executive Officer of Service Skills Australia (SSA), a not-for profit, independent organisation that supports skills development across a range of industry sectors. Jeanette is also chair of WorldSkills Australia and founding member of the International Professional Standards Network.
Jeanette’s VET journey began as a hairdresser and her commitment to education saw her move from running her own business to becoming a VET teacher/trainer, completing a Diploma of Education, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education.
‘I left school at 15 and did an apprenticeship. It took me 20 years to realise that I wanted to do more - VET provided me with the opportunity of doing it. This award is the culmination of the work of many people and I am extremely honoured to have been recognised in this way’ says Jeanette.
With a fundamental belief in the power of education and how it can change lives, combined with a commitment to deliver outcomes, Jeanette is proud of the balance and underpinning principles that guide her work in VET. After working as a teacher and curriculum designer, she progressed to facilitating advice on training and skills needs setting the standard for quality in the development and implementation of service industries training. Under her guidance Service Skills Australia is leading the way in VET reform and setting benchmarks on the global stage along with developing innovative approaches to improving quality outcomes for service industry workers in Australia.
‘Without realising that I was doing it, I was actually pursuing a quality outcome in a whole range of areas. I looked at WorldSkills as an opportunity to enhance the status of skills and benchmarking internationally to measure our qualifications and skills against other countries.’
Jeanette has worked hard to ensure outcomes maintain a focus on careers and jobs. She is fully cognisant of the returns to both learners and employers when skills development is based on quality principals and delivers on its promise. Her vision for VET is one that encompasses applying skills, learning through the work place and gaining recognised qualifications.
‘I think the whole future of the economy rests on quality outcomes for VET. About 75 to 80 per cent of our workforce works in skills areas so it’s important that we have high skills and quality training and delivery for those skills.’
Jeanette has proven that there is a career path in services, that people can overcome challenges, keep up with changing times and shape a career seizing opportunities to meet their needs.
Watch an interview with Jeanette Allen.
Engaging the community
Western College
2011 Community Pathways to VET Award
Located in Dubbo, 500 km west of Sydney, Western College assists its community of over 40,000 people to meet the challenges of geographical isolation, periodic droughts and limited employment options.
Using flexible training delivery methods, Western College offers nationally accredited programs for nearly thirty different qualifications ranging from Certificate I qualifications through to the Diploma level. More than 1,300 people participate in these vocational education and training programs annually across the fields of business studies, retail, hospitality, agriculture, construction, aged care and community services.
‘What we do at the College is engage our students back into education. In smaller, regional communities young people can be well known for their lack of achievement and it’s very difficult for them to reinvent themselves. It’s a challenge to get them reengaged and accepted in a community that already sees them negatively,’ says Kate Davis, the Links to Learning program coordinator.
To address this challenge, the College uniquely tailors services for disengaged youths, unemployed adults and people with disabilities and social and economic disadvantages. In particular, the College is addressing the challenge of raising numeracy and literacy levels, particularly among the 2,500 local Indigenous Australians enrolled at the College.
‘At Western College, so-called marginalised people are the mainstream. They are made to feel that they are welcome and they belong. Western College not only caters for people seeking pathways into jobs but also for those seeking to improve their job competencies, career prospects or business skills. Student outcomes commonly include a nationally recognised qualification, new skills, the securing of a job, growth in confidence and a higher level of participation in the community and the workforce,’ adds Chief Executive Officer, Ron Maxwell.
A key to the success of the College is its use of the Skilling Regional Australia model which pinpoints the four areas in which the college makes a difference – at the regional, community, enterprise and individual student levels.
‘In focusing on these four areas, Western College is supporting regional and community development, increasing workforce participation, improving workforce productivity and skilling individuals. The Skilling Regional Australia model provides a clear message to the colleges’ clients and communities that we are focused on adding value in four areas and that social inclusion programs are an important part of creating these benefits. These programs include the Beacon program which offers unique training employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians and the Links for Learning and Partnership Education Program which involves parents with youth re-engagement programs.’
In the new year, the college will continue to expand its social inclusion programs into the region along with rolling out a new unique analytics product to regional business assisting them to improve workforce productivity and retention rates.
‘Winning this award is a fantastic achievement for our organisation because we work really hard with the local community. To be recognised at the national level as a regional provider is fantastic.’
Watch an interview with Western College.
If you’re a vocational student, apprentice, trainee, teacher or an employer and would like to be recognised for your training efforts, enter the 2012 state or territory training awards and you too could go on to win national recognition.