Community Colleges Australia (CCA) has announced the winners of the inaugural Community Education Trainer of the Year Award, in a ceremony conducted at the CCA Conference Dinner in Sydney on 13 September.
The Awards were presented by David Collins, Executive Director, Training Services NSW, on behalf of the NSW Government, which generously sponsored the 2022 Trainer of the Year Award. This Award celebrates the work and underlines the importance of Australian adult and community education (ACE) trainers and teachers. CCA is proud of the many thousands of Australian ACE trainers and teachers, who motivate, inspire, mentor and guide their students to learn new skills and grow professionally and personally, reaching economic, social and community life objectives. Trainers are the “cutting edge” of ACE education and training, as they support and facilitate increased student confidence and learning, bringing to bear their own substantial life, industry, teaching and other professional experience.
A superb field of trainers resulted in ten finalists. The winners and finalists are:
WINNER
Peter Wilson, a Trade Trainer (Metal Fabrication and Welding) at Central Coast Community College, who holds a Diploma in Weld Inspection, Certificate IV TAE and Certificate IV in Community Services. He has a diverse background in the fabrication industry, having worked primarily in the ship building and defence industries. At 17 years of age, he was given the opportunity to be an apprentice as a fabricator ship builder and this set him on a lifelong path in his trade and as a teacher/mentor. He currently delivers training on ACE Multitrade Taster Courses, Apprenticeship Training – Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication), Glencore Welding Competency training and White Card. He is a dedicated and talented trainer who leads with his heart and has worked tirelessly with community groups to develop and deliver customised programs to meet the needs of some of our most vulnerable community members.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Deborah-Leigh Bye, nominated by St George & Sutherland Community College; and Melanie Duck, nominated by ACE Community Colleges.
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO INNOVATIVE DELIVERY
Claudia Cave & Lisa Chapman, nominated as a pair by Kiama and Shoalhaven Community Colleges.
ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN RECOGNITION OF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Bruce Spence, nominated by Community College Northern Inland.
FINALISTS
- Liz Elliott, nominated by WEA Illawarra
- Shaista Imran, nominated by Sydney Community College
- Chakinta Jones, nominated by South Coast Community College
- Deborah Mercer, nominated by Atwea College
- Shirley Shirdon, nominated by Western Riverina Community College
For background details of the winners and finalists, go to the Awards page.
PHOTOS: For photos of the Award, go to CCA’s Facebook page.
ABOUT THE TRAINER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The 2022 Trainer of the Year Award nominations were open to those have taught or trained students, in a paid capacity, in at least one course of study at an Australian not-for-profit adult and community education (ACE) organisation during the period 1 January 2021 through 30 July 2022. Courses of study could be VET accredited or non-accredited, including pre-accredited or pre-vocational.
Award decisions were made by a judging panel consisting of Evelyn Goodwin (CCA Manager Policy & Projects), Chemène Sinson (VET consultant and CCA Conference MC) and Joneen Troup (former Manager, Camden Haven Community College), based on judging criteria which can be found in the Award Terms and Conditions (PDF).
Photo below, from L to R: David Collins, Karita Crossman (Central Coast Community College - CCCC), Sharon Smith (HVTC/CCCC), Peter Wilson and Debbie Laarkamp (CCCC).
