Staff

Qualifications

• B. Education (ESOL)
• Diploma in Teaching (Sydney Teachers’ College)
• Graduate Certificate in Adult Literacy and Numeracy (Edith Cowan University)
• Graduate Certificate in Management
• Communications
• Diploma of Governance
• Diploma of Training and Assessment (TAA50104)
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

I have always worked as a teacher but found my true calling in vocational education training. Training workers into their jobs or helping them stretch their skills and seek new work opportunities is exciting.

After 25 years working in public education, I created Upskill Australia to provide an opportunity for workers to develop their skills using their work as the learning environment. Employers gain greatly from employees engaged not just with their work but with their workplace and come to understand the various cycles and rhythms at the heart of that workplace.

Bringing experienced trainers and assessors into contact with employers and workers results in best practice training and development. Offering flexibility and well tailored learner support creates an environment where optimal learning takes place. It is all about building relationships, workers with trainers and trainers with industry. I am proud that Upskill Australia can make this happen.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Business (Frontline Management)
• Diploma of Disability Services
• Certificate IV Occupational Health and Safety
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

Workplace training as Dairy Farmers Bomaderry Quality and Systems Manager which included Technical and OHS.

Training with Mission Australia Employment as a Job Search Trainer.

Business Manager for Slice Of Life Australia on contract from DEEWR.

Sole Trader as Shoalhaven Consulting and Training focussing mainly on contract vocational training with Sydney and South Coast RTO’s

Operations manager for Upskill Australia

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) with Distinction
• Graduate Certificate in Management Communication
• Diploma of Business (Frontline Management)
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

I began my working life as a receptionist in a Retail store, working my way up to a management position. After 20+ years in retail, I made the shift to working in the manufacturing sector. Having embarked on my Commerce Degree I moved to working in Public Practice for 3 years as a Client Manager.

Upon completion of my degree, I gained valuable experience in training and education by working as a Sessional Tutor at the Shoalhaven Campus of UOW tutoring in second and third year Accounting, Finance and Business subjects.

I have been employed with Upskill Australia as a trainer and assessor for 8 years and teach across a number of study areas including Management, Business, Frontline Management and Training and Assessment.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Teaching (UNE)
• Graduate Certificate TESOL (UOW)
• Diploma of Business (Frontline Management)
• Diploma of Community Services Management
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

I have worked extensively both training and in management positions in government programs, within the human and community services sector prior to returning to the education field.

I also work within the English language faculty of Wollongong University working primarily with international students studying IELTS Preparation and English for Academic Purposes, and have presented training packages throughout South East Asia.

I have been employed with Upskill Australia as a trainer and assessor for over seven years and teach across a number of study areas including as Training and Education, Management and Community Services Work.

Qualifications

• M. Sc Occupational Health and Rehabilitation (UOW)
• Graduate Diploma Occupational Health and Rehabilitation (UOW)
• Diploma in Nursing – Registered Nurse – Royal Newcastle Hospital
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

I began my working life as a School Dental Therapist before training to become a Registered Nurse at Royal Newcastle Hospital. I worked in nursing for a number of years in Coronary Care and Palliative care at Bowral and Wollongong hospitals and then in Aged Care at Mayflower Gerringong .

I gained valuable experience in training and education by working at TAFE for 15 years as part time teacher delivering training sessions in the Health and OH&S components of the Child Studies and Aged Care qualifications .

My experience and knowledge of safety within the heavy metal industry was consolidated while working at both BHP Billiton and Southern Copper in a Occupational Health and Rehabilitation role, then as Safety Officer at Port Kembla Copper, BlueScope Steel Port Kembla and Wollongong University .

I have been employed with Upskill Australia as a trainer and assessor for 8 years and teach across a number of study areas including Coal Mining, OHS, Training and Assessment, Aged Care and Pharmacy.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Nursing – Registered General Nurse – 1984
• Diploma of Interpreting – Australian Sign Language -1993
• Graduate Certificate TESOL (UOW)
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

I have worked as a registered nurse in the areas of Oncology, Community Based Health Care and Aged Care.

After training as an interpreter in 1993, I worked extensively in the Government sector, Education and Health providing language support services for Deaf and hearing impaired people.

I commenced working for Upskill Australia in 2003 and have been providing training across a number of areas including Adult Literacy, Lifestyle and Leisure, Pharmacy and Aged Care Nursing.

Qualifications

• Advanced Diploma of Personnel and Operations Management
• Diploma of Government (Management)
• Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110)

Background

Chris joined Upskill Australia in Jan 2011 following a successful 30 year career in the Royal Australian Air Force.

During the time in the Air Force, I was predominately employed in the area of Logistics, however I also held a number of training positions. The most notable of these was as the Commanding Officer of the Air Force Officers’ Training School.

In this capacity I was required to oversight the development and delivery of training for newly appointed Officers to the Air Force in the areas of Leadership, Communications and Management. In 2005 I took a mini break from the Air Force for 16 months during which time I was involved in the delivery of workplace competency training in the areas of Confined Space, Working at Heights and Manual Handling.

Since my arrival at Upskill Australia I have been training across a number of areas including the Diploma of Management, Certificate IV in Frontline Management and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Qualifications

• Diploma of Business Management

Background

The newest member to the Upskill Team, I bring with me a strong background in business, having completed my studies in business management in 2007. I have worked in a wide variety of roles since then – from administration and reception, to contracts consultant, to personal assistant – within government sectors, such as NSW Transport.

I believe in excellent client service, the value of a nice smile and a friendly attitude. I am always hardworking and good-humoured in my networking with staff and clients. In my short time working at Upskill, I have learnt so much and gained invaluable experience. I enjoy being part of this organisation, forming friendships and receiving immense support from other staff. I look forward to my future, growing and learning here with Upskill Australia.

Qualification

• Processing and Maintaining Financial Records (Specialisation: In An Office Environment) (Statement of Attainment)
• Certificate IV in Information Technology (Client Support)

Background

I joined the company in May 2005 while I was volunteering at a community development project.

Starting as a relief trainer in Information Technology for about five months and then switching to an office support role.

Qualification

• 2nd Class Certificate of Competency – Undermanager
• 1st Class Certificate of Competency – Manager
• System Safety Accident Investigation facilitator
• Risk Assessment facilitator
• Work Place Trainer and Assessor
• Incident Control and Management facilitator.

Background

Worked in the underground coal sector since 1975, experience in the Illawarra and Hunter coalfields as Undermanager, Undermanager in Charge, Manager, Inspector of Coal Mines and Senior Inspector of Coal Mines.
5 years as Operations Manager for a major contractor supplying labour to underground coal mines in the Illawarra.

4 years as General Manager Health, Safety and Compliance for a leading supplier of contract labour to underground coal mines in the Illawarra, Hunter and Bowen basin coalfields in eastern Australia.

A passion for ensuring people working in the resource sector can do so at no risk to their safety.