TAFE training helps Yasi residents rebuild

More than 300 residents from the areas hardest hit by cyclone Yasi have taken advantage of free training offered by Tropical North Queensland TAFE to help the recovery.

TNQT Institute Director Joann Pyne said the courses were designed to give residents the practical skills and safety knowledge needed to start rebuilding and that she was proud the classes were so well-received.

Course Co-ordinator Lisa Laffin said despite continuous wet weather, all courses were full and attendance records were above average.

The construction and building courses attracted Tully, Cardwell and Mission Beach residents and were held in Tully and Innisfail.

Ms Pyne said TAFE recognised the immediate need to run practical courses to enable these residents to physically rebuild their lives and do so safely.

“Not only are we extremely proud of this initiative but we are pleased to have worked directly with the community members and responded effectively to their immediate needs by teaching skills they will use now and in the future.”

“The response to these courses was overwhelmingly positive and I am proud that so many residents were able to gain skills and knowledge to help them through this rough time.”

Traffic control proved to be the most popular course with over 118 enrolments.

The Tully Mill generously donated the use of their recreation hall for training purposes. Additional venues included the Tully and Innisfail CCRC Depots, Innisfail State College, Brothers Leagues Club and Babinda.

Other courses that were offered included Construction Induction White Card, Food Hygiene, Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), Chainsaw and Machinery Operations Training (Bobcat/Backhoe/Forklift).

PNG Students build careers through skills development

An innovative training program at Tropical North Queensland TAFE (TNQT - CRICOS Provider 02012B) is building career opportunities for 14 Papua New Guineans who are in Cairns for the 21-week program.

Participants in the Certificate II in Civil Construction are undertaking accredited TAFE training that will provide them with the skills necessary to work on the construction of roads and other civil works infrastructure upon their return to PNG in July.

The project is being delivered through a partnership between Tropical North Queensland TAFE and the PNG Government and is part of a larger initiative where 41 students at TAFE in Cairns and 26 in Townsville undertake five different vocational streams.

The 14 civil participants will work in a simulated work environment on the types of machines and equipment they will operate once they take up their careers full time.

During their time at TNQT they will also regularly visit work sites as part of an overall strategy to gain knowledge and become familiar with the requirements of the civil construction industry.

Tropical North Queensland TAFE Institute Director Jo Pyne said that the partnership between TNQT and the PNG Government aims to establish a pool of entry level participants required for work on major infrastructure initiatives.

“The participants in this exciting project will develop the skills and knowledge needed to work in civil construction” Ms Pyne said.

“Recently, Dawson’s generously agreed to have the students on-site while civil construction work was underway and we have negotiated with Road Tek and other civil construction companies to ensure the students gain the high level of exposure they need.

“This project is a great example of the type of targeted training that TNQT can design to deliver real outcomes and provide participants with skills and great career opportunities.”

The students are undertaking a range of jobs activities including laying concrete, building paths and operating machines. Next, the students will travel to Babinda to train on machinery at the Accreditation and Training Services facility.

Cairns' new $10.5 million college offers global marine training

Cairns celebrated the official opening of mainland Australia’s first comprehensive international marine training college earlier this year.

Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining Stirling Hinchliffe said the one-stop-shop training facility would help meet the growing demand for marine industry skills.

“In Queensland alone the industry employs about 8000 people a year with an annual turnover of $2 billion. Sectors including the offshore marine industry are growing rapidly,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“This world-class training facility will draw students and aspiring marine workers from across Australia and the globe, positioning it to be one of the best-equipped marine training centres in the southern hemisphere.

“The international marine college is also poised to boost tourism and broaden the economic base of this region.

“Cairns is set to become renowned internationally as the destination for realistic marine training.”

Mr Hinchliffe said Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE had transferred its marine faculty to the new college, which would also deliver more than 30 training programs and qualifications for the school-based Marine Tech program, coordinated by Woree State High School.

“This centre offers local high school students unprecedented opportunities for school-based traineeships and apprenticeships that will lead to successful careers,” he said.

“Students will gain ‘real world’ trade skills through work placement and industry-standard facilities.

“The marine centre’s facilities include a two-story emergency response training simulator incorporating fire and gas detection and confined space and flood training, a large immersion pool for training in sea survival, life-raft and helicopter underwater escape training (HUET), ship and tug boat bridges, a navigation laboratory and an engineering workshop

Mr Hinchliffe acknowledged Woree State High School, the Australian Marine Training Network and the Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE (TNQIT) in the creation of the new facility.

“Thanks to their vision, this new centre represents a quantum leap forward for marine training in Queensland,” he said.

“I’m pleased to confirm the Queensland Government’s contribution of $5.2 million towards the creation of this facility and welcome the Australian Government’s funding support of a total of $2.3 million through its Trade Training Centres in Schools and Australian Government Skill Centre programs.

“I also acknowledge the support of industry partners Far North Queensland Ports Corporation, Ports North and the local Cairns Marine Industry.

Mr Hinchliffe said the construction of the college had created 71 jobs.

The new college incorporates a trade training centre, the 11th to open in Queensland as part of the Australian Government’s Trade Training Centres in Schools program.

The Great Barrier Marine College is part of the Cairns Port precinct and a major component of the Queensland Government’s $116 million Cairns Economic Future Plan.

Setting the bar for extraordinary customer service

Michael Zahmatkesh was awarded the Combined Trade Apprentice/Trainee Award at the Skill360 Australia Training Awards on April 15 for his commitment to service quality.

Through his host employer, Skill360, Michael was able to gain full-time employment as the Coffee Shop Supervisor at TNQT where he also began his apprenticeship/traineeship in Certificate III in Hospitality.

Michael’s extraordinary impact has been felt by his trainers,

colleagues, faculty, the Institute including his customers and the year 11 and 12 hospitality students he trains in the coffee shop.

Institute Director Joann Pyne said she was proud that Michael was rewarded for his exceptional commitment to customer service and satisfaction.

“Any customer that is met by Michael will be glad for the experience. Michael has a remarkable gift for creating a warm, welcoming environment for those around him including students and staff,” Ms Pyne said.

When Michael’s name was announced as the winner he thought he had heard the MC wrong.

“I didn’t believe that I had heard my name! I was so shocked and happy. This is amazing,” Mr Zahmatkesh said.

When asked why he is committed to the level of service he provides, Michael says that it is important to the economy, Cairns is an important tourism destination and hospitality is one of the main industries in this area.

“Therefore, it is important to provide the best customer service, food and beverage and also to keep up-to-date with changes in the environment in which your business operates – trends, fashions and customer expectations,” he said.

“One of the best ways of doing this in hospitality is to have good social communication skills and be genuine, which is the key to making a casual customer a loyal customer.”

Originally from Austria, Michael moved to Cairns in 2009.

Michael plans to open his own coffee shop/café in Cairns and after he has succeeded in business, to become a hospitality trainer.

TNQ TAFE celebrates Harmony Day

Tropical North Queensland TAFE celebrated Harmony Day with a multicultural concert of singing, dancing and fashion at the Queenslander Restaurant on Friday, 25 March 2011.

More than 180 migrants from countries including Sudan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Congo, Thailand, Laos, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Japan and China participated in the celebration which included a fashion parade of national costumes and concluded with an international buffet lunch.

Harmony Day is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the cohesive and inclusive nature of our nation and promotes the benefits of cultural diversity.

The continuing message for Harmony Day in 2011 was that Everyone Belongs, which means all Australians are a welcome part of our country, regardless of their background.
 

Tropical North Queensland TAFE (TNQT) commemorated National Close the Gap Day (NCTGD) in March with a celebration that featured inspirational Indigenous youth adults sharing their commitment to the cause.

More than 150 people attended the program which included a history of Closing the Gap Day, TNQT’s commitment to the cause and a performance by the Yarrabah Dance Troupe.

In 2010, the TNQT completion rate for Indigenous students in Certificate III courses and abobe was 93%; overall completion including Certificate I and II qualifications was 87%.

Ms Pyne said the highlight of today’s program was listening to the speeches from a number of extraordinary students completing a range of certificates at TAFE.

“Everyone’s journey in life is unique and so often we can take opportunities for granted. Listening to the incredible stories from these inspirational students who have overcome incredible odds to succeed in their training and in life is truly special,” Ms Pyne said.

Statistics reveal that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are still dying 10 to 17 years younger than other Australians.

National Closing the Gap Day is a chance for each and every Australian to show their commitments to close the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.

The role of Business & Marketing Developer in Weipa encompasses Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon and Aurukun.

My objectives in the region are to strengthen the economic and social capacity of the regional communities by delivering flexible, innovative learning solutions whilst providing a high level of tailored customer service to meet people’s needs in these communities.

I can be contacted by email, phone: 07 4069 9013 or mobile 0408 772 635 for any course enquiries or up an coming course information.

I have a varied background but prior to this I was the Program and Activities Coordinator at the Scherger Immigration Detention Centre near Weipa. Prior to my maternity leave in 2008, I worked for TAFE in Weipa in a dual role that led to many successful business relationships being established that have again proven to be beneficial in my return to TNQ Weipa. I’m

a long term local who has moved away to study and travel but since returned in 2006 until now. I plan on staying in Weipa for a few years yet and with the aim of establishing TNQ TAFE as the leading training provider on the Western Cape.