Ian is ‘driven’ in teaching the teachers near and far

“The best thing about working for TAFE Queensland is the access I have to many different people who can assist in just about everything, and being able to work with some of my very experienced team members,” Ian began.

“Also, teaching the Training and Assessment course in a virtual classroom allows me to teach and connect with hundreds of different people from all over Queensland, and the Pacific Islands (mainly Fiji and Samoa) via the Asia Pacific Training Coalition,” he shared.

Ian joined TAFE Queensland in 2021, after reaching out to a contact, following his time at another Registered Training Organisation, which was closing down.

He had previously been a qualified motor mechanic for more than 20 years, and upon recognition that the job was taking a toll on his body, pivoted and pursued a Training and Assessment qualification with the original goal to become an Automotive teacher. 

But, just like many career stories – it was not a linear progression.

Ian transitioned to a role at an International Automotive Manufacturing Company, where he taught technical training for new vehicles and dealer apprentice training in Queensland. He covered various curriculum areas, including automotive technical training, apprentice pathways, and multiple automotive technology certificates.

Later, Ian became a Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Officer for another RTO, teaching White Card and WHS qualifications, and began teaching the Training and Assessment course, which he found particularly enjoyable. He has now accumulated five years of experience in this field.

TAFE Queensland’s Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) is designed for those looking to enhance their industry expertise with the skills to effectively plan, design, deliver and assess programs in line with learning frameworks, legislation and standards.

“I teach people how to become great TAFE Queensland teachers – how to unpack what they do on a daily basis as a professional in their industry and pass these skills on,” said Ian.

“I teach people how to think laterally and adjust to the many different ways that people learn; I teach my students how to tell stories and use examples to give clarity to their future students, and I teach people how to learn from others’ experiences and put ideas in context for teachable moments and how they can relate to the job role,” he continued.

For Ian, the variety his teaching role offers is a key career benefit. 

“My average day looks like coffee,” Ian joked.

“To start the day I check emails, class discussion boards and messages, mark assessments and consume more coffee.

“Working from home – as the course is delivered online – is a huge ‘work perk’, however I need to make sure I am getting up and walking away from the computer every hour or so,” he shared.

The rest of Ian’s day is typically spent editing presentations and assessments, conferring with team members, opening up a virtual classroom, running the evening class, answering questions, and supporting students who work full-time and therefore can’t talk during the day.

Ian has experienced first-hand TAFE Queensland’s value of ‘working together’ – one of the five core values.

“I have been very impressed with all the great staff and the friendly willingness to help if required,” Ian said.

“I am lucky to be a part of a wonderful team of trainers – some of us can relate to each other so well as we have come from trade teaching backgrounds.”

“I have many good, memorable moments, but for me the milestone of completing my most recent Training and Assessment student makes me incredibly happy,” Ian continued.

“I had recognised that this student had a lot of potential from all sorts of perspectives, and I was going to support her with the learning, as long as it was possible to do so. 

“The challenges that kept getting thrown at this student – attending the evening class from Fiji with the time difference – was just one of them.” 

“But it is not just the student’s journey that made it memorable, it was her grateful and joy-filled email on her completion that will stick with me, and realising that I made a difference in her life,” Ian finished.