Turning tradies into educators

Read to the bottom to see how you can apply for the Tradie to Trainer program.

With government subsidies sparking a rise in the number of trades students and a lack of educators to meet the increased demand, TAFE SA has come up with a creative solution that harnesses hands-on experience.

Launched in 2023, the Tradie to Trainer program lays out a pathway for experienced tradespeople to become lecturers. TAFE SA funds their upskilling and pays them a salary while they train.

Lena Marchesan is TAFE SA’s Education Manager for Plumbing, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. She says that, having begun in the electrical department, the program is now expanding to include refrigeration and air conditioning.

“In the past, the expectation was that suitable tradespeople would embark on a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) with the view of securing a teaching role,” Marchesan says. “The Tradie to Trainer program allows for refrigeration technicians to be paid at TAFE SA to undertake the TAE while they are mentored and shadowed by experienced TAFE SA lecturers.

“It provides real context to the Cert IV teaching qualification as they apply it each day and support the learning of apprentices in their trade.”

What’s involved

To work as a lecturer at TAFE SA, the following qualifications are required:

• RAC01 refrigerant handling license
• Five years of industry experience
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessing (TAE 40122).

Many HVAC&R professionals already meet the first two requirements. It’s the TAE where the Tradie to Trainer program kicks in. The program begins with the first two modules of the TAE:

• BSBCMM401 Make a presentation
• TAEDEL301 Provide work skill instruction.

It’s a structured course, with:

• One day a week dedicated to coursework for the Certificate IV TAE
• Three days a week mentored by experienced lecturers in classroom settings
• One day of induction courses for the first month
• Personal mentoring from a refrigeration lecturer in the team.

Once they’ve completed those two modules, participants graduate to the position of lecturer at TAFE SA. They then have one year to complete the remainder of the TAE, and TAFE SA supports them through this process.

Initially, participants receive a two-year contract. They can apply for an ongoing position once they complete the Certificate IV and positions become available.

“It’s a great supported model that enables you to spend time on the andragogy that aligns with teaching to apprentices with varying learning styles,” Marchesan says.

Call for applicants

The Tradie to Trainer program is still in its infancy, but it has already engaged 12 electricians, some of who have graduated from the program and some who are just beginning. Now, with demand for expertise in refrigeration and air conditioning growing, TAFE SA is looking for HVAC&R professionals to join the program, with several lecturer positions potentially available.

“Industry currency is an important aspect in teaching apprentices,” Marchesan says. “Having new, broadly experienced tradespeople give back to their industry by teaching apprentices is rewarding for both parties.

“It’s the hands-on, practical component of the refrigeration trade that apprentices really embrace, and gaining these skills in a learning environment where they have both time and support is invaluable.”

If you’re interested in applying for TAFE SA’s Tradie to Trainer program, email Lena Marchesan at [email protected] with a copy of your CV.

Image courtesy of TAFE SA.