Australia’s bestChallenger Institute has been crowned the best large training provider in the country

VOLUME 6_NUMBER 4_DECEMBER 2012

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provide a kick start for stocks to develop into viable populations.

The exact number of prawns to be released will depend on spawning success.

Challenger Institute, Swan River Trust and the Department of Fisheries are working together on the restocking project.

Fisheries Minister Norman Moore congratulated the partners in the three year, $330,000 project.

Mr Moore said it was hoped the initiative, made possible by funds raised through recreational f ishing licence fees, would help over time to re-establish prawning as a key family activity in the Swan and Canning rivers.

“Drag netting for prawns on a hot summer night was once an intrinsic

part of Perth’s summer lifestyle,” Mr Moore said.

“Along with the Peel Inlet, near Mandurah, Perth’s river system is the most popular area for recreational prawning in Western Australia’s southern regions and the school prawn is one of the main species taken.”

ACAAR director Greg Jenkins said the project was truly unique.

“Noone has ever grown this type of prawn before, and there are def initely challenges ahead to ensure they can be nurtured to the point they can be released and monitored,” Mr Jenkins said.

“We have expertise in the restocking of estuarine and marine fish, in particular restocking black bream in the Blackwood River, but prawns are an entirely different prospect.”

Mr Jenkins said the reasons for the

diminishing numbers of prawns

in Perth rivers was unclear, but

restocking could complement further

research into these factors.

ACAAR has previously been involved

in research for a range of species for

aquaculture in Western Australia,

including yellowfin tuna, yellowtail

kingfish, mulloway, black bream,

snapper, King George whiting and

WA dhufish.

The prawn restocking project is

funded through the Recreational

Fishing Fund and administered via

the peak recreational fishing body,

Recfishwest. The Swan River Trust

instigated the project and will be

responsible for the community values

aspects of the initiative.

Challenger works to restock Perth rivers with prawnsIn a world first, Challenger Institute of Technology is working to restock Western school prawns in the Swan and Canning rivers, to help re-establish prawning as an iconic family activity. Collection of prawn broodstock from the Swan River has begun, allowing Challenger’s research team at its Australian Centre for Applied Aquaculture Research (ACAAR) to breed and grow the broodstock.

The juvenile prawns will be introduced to the shallow banks of the rivers over the summer months, to hopefully

Welcome to this very special December edition of Waves.

For Challenger Institute of Technology, Christmas arrived early when we were presented with the highest award in vocational education and training in Australia.

In the previous edition of Waves I announced that Challenger Institute had been named Western Australia’s best large training provider. Now I can proudly say that the commitment of Challenger staff to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, and our strong relationships with industry, has seen us gain equal recognition at the national level.

Challenger Institute received the Large Training Provider of the Year Award at the Australian Training Awards in November. This prestigious award confirms our reputation as a flexible, high quality and skills-focused training institute (pages 6-7).

This has been a year of unprecedented success. Challenger’s training restaurant, Quinlan’s, won its fifth and third consecutive Gold Plate Award at the 2012 Gold Plate Awards, earning it a place in the Hall of Fame. We also became the first Western Australian training provider to win the tourism industry’s most prestigious award, the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism (more page 4).

Challenger’s Australian Centre for Applied Aquaculture Research (ACAAR), which plays a lead role nationally in marine research, has partnered in a new program that could see a return of the time-honoured family tradition of prawning. In a world first, ACAAR’s research team is working to restock western school prawns in the Swan and Canning rivers to provide the impetus for stocks to develop into viable populations (page 3).

Having proudly given rise to a number of successful local fashion designers, it’s no surprise that Challenger’s annual fashion event draws a big crowd. This year’s parade, Take Flight, was no exception, featuring an array of cutting-edge collections. And for the first time in the show’s history, the fashion students presented their designs without the use of a catwalk and soared all the higher in doing so (page 8).

Two closely aligned but very different training initiatives at Challenger have opened up rewarding career opportunities in Gorgon, one of the world’s largest natural gas projects. An apprentice training program at our Henderson campus is providing heavy fabrication engineering students with specific training for the resources sector and the Gorgon project (page 5). In Rockingham, a group of Aboriginal students who have acquired construction skills and qualifications have also been given the opportunity to work on projects associated with the Gorgon gas fields (page 10).

I hope you enjoy the last edition of Waves for 2012, which highlights just some of the achievements and developments at Challenger Institute – Australia’s best large training provider.

I am enormously grateful for the passion and commitment of our staff, the loyalty of our partners and the contribution of our Governing Council and, in particular the Chair, Paddi Creevey, for our excellent achievements this year. I wish all our staff, students and industry and community partners a very safe and happy Christmas.

Warm regards,

Liz Harris Chief Executive Officer Challenger Institute of Technology

A message from Chief Executive Officer, Liz Harris

(L-R) ACAAR director Greg Jenkins, Minister for Fisheries Norman Moore, Department of Fisheries CEO Stuart Smith, Swan River Trust general manager Rod Hughes and Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland.

Western school prawns

Cover: Accepting the award for Large Training Provider of the Year were (L-R) general manager training services Jill Jamieson, Minister for Training and Workforce Development Murray Cowper, CEO Liz Harris, Governing Council deputy chair Mike Deeks and Governing Council chair Paddi Creevey.

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A new apprentice training program, aptly titled You’re On Your Way, is providing opportunities for Western Australians to set their careers in motion in the mining and resources sector.Twelve heavy fabrication apprentices are the first to take part in the innovative program at Challenger Institute of Technology that is training new workers for Gorgon, one of the world’s largest natural gas projects.

Challenger Institute general manager training services Jill Jamieson said the program was an exciting collaboration between Challenger Institute and CKJV (a joint venture of global engineering giants CB&I and Kentz).

“The fabrication and electrical trades are among the most sought after in Western Australia,” Ms Jamieson said.

“By working so closely with industry, Challenger Institute is playing a key role in supporting initiatives that attract people to work in these industries.”

The You’re on Your Way program provides flexible learning opportunities for apprentices in the resources sector and works within the framework of Challenger’s SMART apprenticeship model.

New apprentice partnership trains workers for GorgonChallenger launched the SMART model in 2011 with the

aim of tailoring training to meet the requirements of both

employers and students.

“The model utilises existing skills and industrial

experience and knowledge to enable apprentices to

complete their apprenticeships based on competency,

rather than time served,” Ms Jamieson said.

Last year, 28 fabrication apprentices were involved in

the SMART model and gained their competencies at an

accelerated rate. This year the number of apprentices has

increased by more than 60 per cent.

The success of the model, particularly in relation to

the You’re on Your Way program, is due to lecturers

being available to deliver training in a coordinated and

cooperative manner.

They also work with employers to ensure the apprentices

are mentored and learning is supported in the workplace.

You’re On Your Way will target trainees and apprentices

in skill areas including heavy fabrication, electrical,

mechanical, scaffolding and rigging.

The heavy fabrication apprentices receive 10 weeks of

training at Challenger Institute before beginning the

apprenticeship program in the workplace – a key feature

of the program.

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Two unique awards presented to Challenger Institute of Technology have created their own slice of history.Challenger has become the f irst training provider to win the tourism industry’s most prestigious award. The Institute took out the Sir David Brand Award for Tourism at the 40th annual WA Tourism Awards.

Challenger’s School of Hospitality and Tourism was presented with the top accolade, which is awarded to the best of the WA Tourism Award gold medallists, after winning the Tourism Education and Training category.

The hospitality team with Quinlan’s fifth Gold Plate.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi (left) and Professor Bickmore-Brand representing the late Sir David Brand (right) present the tourism awards to Challenger’s hospitality and tourism director Margaret Gannaway (2nd from left) and tourism course coordinator Kathryn Clark.

Gold plate, tourism awards make history

Gourmet escape has hospitality students seeing starsThirty-five Challenger Institute of Technology hospitality students are still buzzing after their recent culinary escape from campus kitchen to the picturesque southwest wine region.The students were handpicked to assist at the sell-out Margaret River Gourmet Escape weekend, where they got the opportunity to support an exclusive line-up of well-known international chefs.

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Minister for Training and Workforce Development Murray Cowper (centre) with Challenger students and

apprentices Jeremiah Narkle (left) and Adam Gosen.

Challenger is also set to become the f irst hospitality training provider in Western Australia to enter the restaurant industry’s prestigious Hall of Fame after its training restaurant, Quinlan’s, won its f ifth Gold Plate Award at the 2012 Gold Plate Awards gala ball.

Challenger Institute CEO Liz Harris said it was an honour to be recognised at the highest level in industry.

“Acknowledgment at this level is very exciting for our students, who can feel conf ident that the training they are receiving at Challenger is of the highest quality,” Ms Harris said.

Quinlan’s Training Restaurant claimed its f irst Gold Plate Award in 2004 and again in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

For three days the students rubbed shoulders with the likes of Kylie Kwong, Matt Moran and more than 20 international and local food and wine experts.

Challenger Institute hospitality lecturer Clare Russell said the cookery, hospitality, tourism and events students were involved in a plethora of activities over the action-packed weekend.

“The cookery students assisted at the celebrity chefs’ table and green room, test kitchen and wine tasting sessions, and the events and tourism students played an important role with ticketing and ushering duties,” Ms Russell said.

“It was a great compliment for the students to be selected to be involved in such a high profile and hugely popular food and wine event.”

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“Challenger’s purpose is to provide a pathway to a better future for everyone, and we are passionate about helping people – in particular disadvantaged groups – learn new skills and improve their employment prospects.

“We are also highly aligned to industry needs and we work closely with more than 300 community and business partners, including in oil and gas, health, maritime, hospitality and construction, to build a skilled and productive workforce and to f ill labour shortages.”

Challenger Institute became a f inalist in the Australian Training Awards after winning WA Large Training Provider of the Year at the WA Training Awards in September.

The Institute beat two other f inalists – TAFE NSW Riverina Institute and Queensland’s Blue Dog Training – to take out the top national award.

Challenger Institute’s Governing Council chair Paddi Creevey said Challenger’s f lexibility, responsiveness and social inclusiveness helped make it a leader nationally.

“This award is a great coup for Western Australia; we have the best training in Australia right here on our doorstep,” she said.

“Challenger is already the preferred training provider of more than 23,000 students, both local and international students,” she said. “And now it is off icial that we are the best.”

The annual Australian Training Awards recognise and reward the outstanding achievements of training organisations, as well as apprentices, trainees and vocational students.

The Large Training Provider of the Year award is presented to an Australian registered training organisation with more than 1,500 enrolled students.

Challenger Institute of Technology is Australia’s best large training provider.The Institute took out the nation’s top training award at the prestigious Australian Training Awards in Melbourne. Challenger Institute CEO Liz Harris said it was an honour to be recognised at the highest level of vocational education and training.

“Challenger Institute is very proud to be acknowledged with this award, which is recognition of our commitment to high quality training, continuous improvement as an organisation and of the passion and dedication of our staff,” Ms Harris said.

CHALLENGER INSTITUTE CROWNED AUSTRALIA’S BEST

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(L-R) Challenger Institute Governing Council chair Paddi Creevey and CEO Liz Harris.

The top Australian award for a large training institution comes to Challenger.

(L-R) Governing Council chair Paddi Creevey, Governing Council deputy chair Mike Deeks, CEO Liz Harris, and general managers Michael Juliff, Terry Durant, Melanie Sorensen and Jill Jamieson celebrate the award.

Highlights of 2012 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering HOSTPLUS Award for Excellence

Western Australian Large Training Provider of the Year

Gold Plate Award and induction into the Gold Plate Hall of Fame

Western Australian Tourism Award

Sir David Brand Award for Tourism

Australian Large Training Provider of the Year

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Student fashion parade takes flight8

Perth’s fashionistas flocked to Progress Hall in Hilton for Challenger Institute of Technology’s annual fashion runway event and awards night.Celebrating its 18th anniversary, the Take Flight parade was inspired by a bird theme.

More than 250 style-savvy guests were treated to a display of cutting-edge collections from Challenger’s graduating Applied Fashion Design and Technology Diploma students.

The Take Flight concept gave rise to a colour palette of predominately blue, green and yellow garments – representing birdlife.

Challenger Institute CEO Liz Harris said the event was one of distinction.

“This event marks the pinnacle of achievement for Challenger’s fashion department, which has worked exceptionally hard to produce a high calibre of work,” Ms Harris said.

“The designs were the culmination of two years of effort by the students, showcasing an impressive depth of fashion knowledge and training.

“This has been a very successful year for our fashion area, with our students asked to participate in various high-profile events including StyleAid and

the Perth Fashion Festival, in which Challenger’s Aqeela Isaacs was named overall student winner.”

The 2012 Fashion Vocational Student of the Year Award went to Mia Jones (pictured far right, with model). Throughout her studies, Mia demonstrated a high level of understanding of fashion concepts and design elements.

Mia plans to eventually start her own label, which will embody her individual style through the use of beautiful fabrics, superb construction and clever styling.

Awards also went to Katie Goodlet, who received the Pattern Making Award, and Shannen Barton, who was presented with the Bernina Award for Sewing. This striking design by

Katie Goodlet featured at the recent StyleAid fashion event.

Glamour from designer Aqeela Issacs, who took out top honours at the recent Perth Fashion Festival.

Mia Jones’ costume entry at Perth Fashion Festival.

A collection by Danelaw Court-Petersen.

Photography by Style Discovery

A world of opportunity has been revealed for a group of Aboriginal students at Challenger Institute of Technology who have become the first to complete a unique training initiative that has resulted in employment opportunities on the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project. Challenger Institute partnered with energy company Chevron Australia to provide training for 12 students in the inaugural Gorgon Entry Skills Training Program.

Challenger Institute provided hands-on training and exposure to the tools, processes and tasks required to work in the resources sector. This included a range of units and construction proficiencies, including forklift operation, tool skills, elevated work platforms, fixing and securing equipment, working in confined spaces and first aid. The students received a number of recognised industry tickets as well as units of competency from a Certificate II in Electrotechnology.

Perhaps the most significant element of this four-week program was the genuine employment opportunities offered to successful graduates.

Through the involvement of Gorgon contractors, successful graduates of the program have been offered employment

Unique program opens employment doors for Aboriginal trainees

opportunities on the Gorgon Project, the largest single resource project in Australia’s history.

The students will be working at the Australian Marine Complex and in the Henderson area, where a number of Gorgon contractors are undertaking scopes of work.

The Gorgon Project contractors who participated in the program undertook regular visits to the students in the form of guest talks and BBQ lunches, where they shared their expertise and offered valuable advice on working in the industry.

“By working with industry to deliver this type of tailored training, an innovative program has been devised that has provided such a positive experience for the participants,” said Challenger CEO Liz Harris.

The participants were selected and assisted throughout the course by the Australian Indigenous Business Alliance Group.

Gorgon Development Director Scott Young said the Gorgon Project was making a significant contribution to employment in the Kwinana and Henderson area.

“This program is one of a number of initiatives creating opportunities for apprentices and trainees with Gorgon contractors,” Mr Young said.

Speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony at Challenger’s Rockingham campus, course graduate Shannon Khan expressed his thanks on behalf of the student group, describing the four weeks as “a completely positive experience.”

Chevron community engagement advisor Rod Mapstone, course participant Shannon Khan and Challenger general manager training services Jill Jamieson.

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Challenger Institute of Technology graduate Mathilde Bernhard may be an expert in flora and fauna, but she’s no shrinking violet.The passionate conservationist, who studied a Diploma of Conservation and Land Management, has received Challenger Institute’s International Student of the Year Award.

Mathilde left France five years ago to travel to Australia and New Zealand. A former professional illustrator in Paris, she made Western Australia her home after feeling a connection with the local wildlife and a desire to preserve it.

“WA’s flora is of an amazing diversity and complexity,” she said. “Unfortunately, it is threatened every day and I feel the need to do my share when it comes to protecting it.”

Mathilde worked on a number of environmental projects during her studies at Challenger Institute, including the revegetation of Rottnest Island and activities for the Cockburn Wetlands Education Centre.

She has also helped organise a fundraiser for the protection, research and awareness of the endangered West Australian numbat.

Mathilde is now working with Sustainable Outdoors – a native landscaping and landcare business – where she is engaged with bushland care, such as erosion control, revegetation and invasive species control.

French student masters the art of conservation

“The Australian wilderness is the first reason why I decided to stay in this beautiful country, and I feel that it is now my home,” she said.

Challenger Institute’s International Student Graduation Ceremony was held

on 21 November at the WA Maritime Museum. More than 100 students from 26 countries were congratulated on their success in a range of training programs.

image to go here 11

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www.challenger.wa.edu.au

INDUSTRY TRAINING AREAS Applied Engineering

Building and Automotive Technology Business and IT

Community Services, Health, Sport and Lifestyle Hospitality and Tourism

Foundation and Cultural Studies Maritime

Science and the Environment

SPECIALIST CENTRES Australian Centre for Applied Aquaculture Research (ACAAR)

Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT)

COURSE INFORMATION Phone: 9239 8189

Waves Magazine

To advise of a change of address please telephone (08) 9239 8301.

All other enquiries should be directed to the Editor, Waves Magazine.

Phone: (08) 9239 8301 Fax: (08) 9239 8088 Email: Media@challenger.wa.edu.au Website: www.challenger.wa.edu.au

Waves Magazine articles may be reproduced with acknowledgement.

Students at Challenger Institute of Technology’s oil and gas training facility gained first-hand experience in dealing with an emergency situation when a life threatening scenario unfolded during their training recently.The situation at the Australian Centre for Energy and Process Training (ACEPT) in Munster was no cause for alarm though; it was a training

Emergency drill fires up trainingdrill aimed at giving the students the practical experience of dealing with an emergency situation in the oil and gas or hydrocarbon industries.

The scenario involved a local industry emergency response group and ACEPT trainees working together to respond to an emergency situation. The scene was set when a major pipework rupture caused a leak of gas and oil from the simulated well head, resulting in a fire.

To intensify the situation, there was a mock casualty, which required the emergency response team to rescue the injured person from a height.

ACEPT lecturer Jim McQuade said the

exercise would not have been possible

without the support of local industry.

“Global mineral producer Tronox

provided the emergency response

team, an ambulance to transport the

casualty and a fire engine and hoses to

put out the blaze,” Mr McQuade said.

“The exercise gave students first-hand

experience in managing a crisis, given

the skills that their on-campus training

has provided them with. I am very

happy with the result.”

The emergency response team fight the fire.

The response team checks the casualty’s vital signs before placing him in the ambulance.