NICHOLAS Viney from Kangan Batman TAFE has been named the Manufacturing Trade Teacher of the Year at a ceremony held in Sydney ealier this month.
The Trade Teacher of the Year Awards are in their inaugural year and recognise excellence in training and teaching across the eight industry groups covering automotive; building and construction; electrical; manufacturing; metals and engineering; hospitality and personal services; rural and farming; and mineral resources.
The awards have been developed by The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, which is funded by the Federal Government and led by three industry groups: The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the National Farmers’ Federation; and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group).
Chief Executive Officer for the Institute for Trade Skills Excellence, Brian Wexham, said that the Trade Teacher of the Year Awards were an important initiative for industry.
“The Institute has been established to promote and advance learning, teaching and training in Australian trades education,” Wexham explained.
“One of our three key purposes is to foster and recognise excellent standards and teaching in trade’s education and training.”
Wexham also said that the Awards enabled teachers to further develop their teaching.
“The Trade Teacher of the Year Awards are an excellent way to recognise teachers who excel in their chosen fields, amongst their peers and also provide the teacher with some funding to further develop the teaching practices in their industry, which in turn will also reward the students.
“This is an important initiative as this specifically recognises and awards teachers within the vocational trade training arena.”
A total of 15 awards were presented across 15 categories, each with prizes of $10,000 to individual teachers or teams of teachers who work in a trade area.
The prize money was awarded as a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 developmental activity or program that will contribute to industry and teaching.
Nicholas Viney was named the Trade Teacher of the Year in the Manufacturing sector for his commitment to delivering customised training with workable examples.
Viney said he chooses to do all of his training in the workplace as he believes that if students implement solutions to problems in their own workplace, they are inspired to continuously improve.
With an excellent reputation for being able to think laterally and for this willingness to roll up his sleeves and work with all shop floor staff, Viney said he plans on using the prize money for an overseas benchmarking mission.
“I plan on travelling overseas to determine the extent to which overseas manufacturers are implementing lean manufacturing and what methodologies they use to achieve manufacturing excellence.
“I’m keen to determine if Australia’s training model is on track to keeping our industry competitive,” he added.
For more information about the awards contact:
E – info@itse.com.au
W – www.tradeskills.com.au