From the call centre to the classroom – Christopher’s vocational education journey

Although Christopher is new to TAFE Queensland, he is no stranger to adult and vocational education.

Based in Perth, he has been involved in teaching in the sector since 2009 before joining TAFE Queensland, with his passion for vocational education, especially the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122), having driven much of his career.

“A career with TAFE Queensland appealed to me for two main reasons,” shared Christopher.

“Firstly, during my interview, I could tell that my interviewers understood just how passionate I am about vocational education, and especially the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Plus, my interviewers at TAFE Queensland recognised the combined value of my experience and my further higher education qualifications.”

“I’ve been teaching this qualification for about eight years now, and it really means a lot to people. This course can change lives and open doors for career progression.”

“Secondly, working for a government Registered Training Organisation (RTO), like TAFE Queensland, is something I’ve wanted to experience. It’s a different environment, and I knew it would offer me new challenges and opportunities.”

For Christopher, his role at TAFE Queensland complements his postgraduate studies outside of the classroom, with his PhD research project focused on the vocational education landscape.

“Vocational education is not just my career; it’s my life,” said Christopher.

“Outside of work, I’m also conducting research that aligns with what I do every day. I’ve completed a Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education and Training, a Master of Education, and now I’m working towards a PhD. My research focuses on the professionalisation of VET practitioners — a topic I’m very passionate about.”

Christopher’s journey into teaching, however, is anything but typical.

“It all started by accident,” he explained

“Years ago, I was working as a call centre team manager for Telstra and if someone’s internet wasn’t working, they’d call us. My team would walk them through troubleshooting steps, like the classic ‘turn it off and back on again’.”

When Christopher left Telstra, he decided to study for a Diploma of Business at a TAFE in Western Australia. During this time as a student, his career took an unexpected turn.

“One day, while I was in the middle of my studies, my phone rang. I stepped outside to take the call, and it was someone asking if I wanted to train people in telecommunications. They said they’d heard of me. I thought, ‘This is great timing!’ because I was a student at the time and could definitely use the income” he said.

Christopher accepted the offer and travelled around Australia as a telecommunications trainer for the next three years, working on the rollout of the 3G network and DSL and fibre optic infrastructure.

However, a surprising encounter revealed the true reason for his sudden career shift.

“After three years of working as a telecommunications trainer, I finally met the person who had hired me over the phone. He was visibly surprised when he saw me. It turned out that he had mistaken me for a different Christopher Ward, who was an expert in global telecommunications networks,” Christopher recalled.

“He thought I was that guy! When we both realised the mix-up, he said, ‘Well, you’re one of our top trainers based on client and student feedback, so keep going!’ And that’s exactly what I did for another three years.”

This unexpected detour in his career ultimately led Christopher to formalise his skills and become a qualified trainer.

He completed the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40110), which has since been updated to TAE40116 and, more recently, TAE40122. To further enhance his expertise, Christopher also completed a Diploma of Vocational Education and Training (TAE50122), which enabled him to train other trainers.

In July 2024, Christopher had the opportunity to present his research at the 33rd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference, ‘No Frills,’ co-hosted by North Metropolitan TAFE in Perth.

His presentation was based on his co-authored publication with Dr. Piper Rodd in the Australian Journal of Adult Learning, titled ‘PD: a professional deterrence? The financial cost and time commitment of professional development for VET practitioners in Western Australia.’

Through this research, Christopher and Dr. Rodd explored the challenges VET practitioners face in balancing professional development demands with their financial and time constraints.

“It was wonderful to see so many people interested in the realities of professional development for VET practitioners. These are the conversations we need to have if we want to support the future of the sector,” said Christopher.

Christopher’s influence as a trainer extends well beyond his research with many of his students at TAFE Queensland securing employment in training and assessment, even before completing their qualifications.

“Just recently, several of my students landed jobs as trainers and assessors. They haven’t even finished their course yet!” said Christopher.

“It’s amazing to see them applying what they’ve learned in real-world situations,” Christopher says proudly.

“They always thank me for helping them get there, but I honestly feel like I’m just along for the ride. It’s their hard work, dedication, and passion that’s making the difference.”