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A message from Chief Executive Officer, Liz Harris

Welcome to the April edition of Waves, which acknowledges and celebrates the winners of Challenger Institute’s recent student awards.

Automotive mechanical technology graduate Blake Goold received the coveted Student of the Year Award, as well as Apprentice of the Year title. Blake’s success is testament to his professional approach to his studies coupled with an unwavering passion for the automotive industry. We wish Blake well in what I’m sure will be a positive and rewarding career.

Once again, Challenger’s award winners and finalists prove to be exceptional ambassadors for Western Australian vocational education and training, and role models for our future students. Learn more about the awards night and our winners on the pages that follow.

Our training areas continue to thrive, with many successes being noted from across the Institute.

In the engineering area, our advanced diploma students recently designed and built a complex digital 3D machining centre. The computer controlled machine was the product of a year of work by the students, and now holds a patent with commercial prospects – a fantastic achievement.

The state-of-the-art machine features a plasma cutter, 3D printer, mould manufacturer, robot welder and milling machine. Furthermore, the ambitious project was undertaken on top of the normal course workload, demonstrating the dedication of each and every student. Read more about this ground-breaking initiative on page 7.

In industry news, Challenger recently launched an innovative plant mechanic (heavy diesel) work placement program with our partners at the Kwinana Industries Council.

The program is for high school-aged students in the Rockingham and Kwinana area. The initiative aims to help the students’ apprenticeship prospects in the plant mechanic and mechanical fitting industry areas. See more on page 8.

And on a personal note, it is with some sadness I announce my retirement from Challenger after 17 years with the Institute, making this my last Waves. I have been Challenger CEO for eight years, general manager training services for three years and prior to that, a director and program manager in the organisation.

I have accomplished all that I hoped to and more in my time leading the Institute, including our 2012 title of Australia’s Best Large Training Provider, and many more training accolades. I’ve also been personally honoured to receive a 2014 Public Service Medal (PSM) and a WA Telstra Business Women’s Award in 2009. It’s because of the commitment and passion of wonderful colleagues and staff, our dedicated students and of course you, our industry friends and supporters that have made these achievements possible.

I sincerely thank you for your continued support of this wonderful training institute and its aims of ensuring each and every student a pathway to a better future.

I hope you enjoy reading about Challenger’s award winning students and recent initiatives in this latest edition of Waves.

Warm regards, Liz Harris PSM

Chief Executive OfficerChallenger Institute of Technology

Challenger Institute recognised the efforts of its most outstanding students at the annual Student Awards Ceremony on 25 March at The University of Notre Dame in Fremantle.As many as 60 students received an Achievement Award for being the best student in their respective course.

As well as the coveted Student of the Year Award, four major award winners were announced in the categories of Aboriginal Student of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year and Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools Student of the Year.

The major award winners were:

• Student of the Year: BLAKE GOOLD (Sponsored by Challenger Institute of Technology)

• Aboriginal Student of the Year: DEBRA BLACKWOOD (Sponsored by Rotary Club of Rockingham)

• Apprentice of the Year: BLAKE GOOLD (Sponsored by Rotary Club of Cockburn)

• Trainee of the Year: DEBRA BLACKWOOD (Sponsored by Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA))

• VET in Schools Student of the Year:MIKAYLA ARCHIBALD (Sponsored by MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre)

• Vocational Student of the Year:ZOE KNOX (Sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Applecross and Fremantle)

Cover: Challenger Institute’s 2014 Student of the Year Blake Goold at Mandurah Toyota.

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Challenger’s best and brightestAn inspiring speech to students and guests by Challenger’s Governing Council Chair Paddi Creevey set the tone for the ceremony.

Claudia Bertorello-Kell, the Master of Ceremonies, extended her thanks to the Challenger Visage team for doing her hair and makeup on the evening.

Guest speaker and former Challenger student Melissa Tainsh encouraged award winning students to continue on the path of lifelong learning.

The mother of four completed a Certificate IV in Education Support and Children’s Services at Challenger in 2014.

Melissa talked about her life changing experience travelling to India as part of Challenger’s Global Mobility program, where she volunteered in underprivileged schools and orphanages.

Challenger is grateful for the generous and ongoing support of industry and community organisations that sponsored the awards, and made the night possible.

Challenger Institute student award winners - clockwise from back (L-R) Chair of Challenger’s Governing Council Paddi Creevey, Student of the Year and Apprentice of the Year Blake Goold, Aboriginal Student of the Year and Trainee of the Year Debra Blackwood, Challenger CEO Liz Harris, Vocational Student of the Year Zoe Knox and VET in Schools Student of the Year Mikayla Archibald.

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Award-winning apprentice accelerates his career

“The longer I’m involved in the automotive industry, the more passionate I become. It’s the way my brain is wired and I’m so glad I made the choice to get a career with a solid and interesting future,” Blake enthused.

No stranger to success, Blake was also named Toyota WA Apprentice of the Year last year.

Challenger automotive lecturer Nigel Allen said Blake had always stood out as an outstanding student.

“He pushes the boundaries in the learning environment by asking questions that enhance his, and the rest of the class’s learning experience. Blake’s ability to challenge ideas and concepts to ensure he fully understands the subject matter is key to his ability to apply new ideas constructively within the workshop,” Mr Allen said.

Blake (28) received the coveted prize, together with the Apprentice of the Year Award.

Blake said he has always had a passion for understanding how cars work and how to repair them.

“When I got my first car I bought the relevant workshop manual and have always attempted repairs on my own vehicles long before I started my apprenticeship. I just love doing things myself,” Blake said.

Prior to starting his mature-age apprenticeship, Blake said he was in a secure job that paid well but didn’t satisfy his passion for problem solving. Since starting his apprenticeship at Mandurah Toyota Blake said he’s never looked back.

Meadow Springs father Blake Goold has won Challenger Institute’s prestigious Student of the Year Award.

Blake said that keeping up with new technologies in the automotive industry is essential.

“There is always more to learn in the industry because as soon as you learn about how something works, another technology is being developed or implemented.”

“I want to be ‘that guy’, the bloke that anyone can come to with a question and I’ll have the answer,” Blake said.

The 2014 Apprentice of the Year Award is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cockburn. The Student of the Year Award is sponsored by Challenger Institute of Technology.

Challenger Institute’s 2014 Student of the Year and Apprentice of the Year award winner Blake Goold.

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Award win is twice as nice for Debra

Mother of two Debra Blackwood (43), of Maddington, said completing the business traineeship had been a life-changing experience.

“The course gave me the opportunity to re-enter the workforce after spending six years as a stay at home mum,” Debra said.

“I have felt empowered in showing my daughters what can be accomplished when they set personal goals and work towards them.”

Debra completed the traineeship at Chevron Australia, where she works in the finance team. She also has a mentor role in the workplace, supporting new starters to develop and meet their own career ambitions and goals.

Challenger business lecturer Marilyn McCutcheon said Debra was a most deserving winner of the awards.

“Throughout her traineeship Debra displayed a great willingness to learn and achieve, and she never takes the easy road,” Ms McCutcheon said.

“In her role as workplace mentor, Debra is always enthusiastic in providing new starters the time, advice and help if they need it. She does this on top of her own training and work role, which is testament to her caring and conscientious manner.”

Debra is advancing her traineeship through studying a Certificate IV in Accounting at Challenger this year.

Debra’s ultimate career goal is to become a fully-qualified professional in the oil and gas industry, and to be respected and admired by her peers.

“I would like to use my experiences to be a positive and proud role model for my family, and the wider Aboriginal community,” Debra said.

The 2014 Aboriginal Student of the Year Award is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rockingham. The Trainee of the Year Award is sponsored by Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

Challenger Institute’s 2014 Aboriginal Student of the Year and Trainee

of the Year award winner Debra Blackwood.

A business trainee has earned dual-recognition through claiming Challenger Institute’s Aboriginal Student of the Year and Trainee of the Year Awards.

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Award winner Zoe is a blossoming talent

Challenger Institute’s 2014 Vocational Student of the Year Award winner Zoe Knox.

A passion for creating amazing flavour combinations and a keen interest in the cooking industry have earned Casuarina student Mikayla Archibald a top honour.The Certificate II in Kitchen Operations student was awarded Challenger Institute’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools Student of the Year Award.

Mikayla (16) was rewarded for her initiative and leadership in the classroom and her hard work, dedication and positive outlook.

The combination of food and family played a strong influence in Mikayla’s decision to embark on a career in cookery.

“I am passionate about becoming a chef because my favourite memories revolve around celebrations and family events where food is associated with fun, love and laughter,” Mikayla said.

“I would love to bring that same emotion to my cooking and to the people who delight in what I prepare.”

Mikayala said the most enjoyable aspect of the course included her work placement, mastering different cooking methods and the art of melding flavours together to create delicious foods.

Zoe Knox (26), of Lower King town near Albany, is the owner of Bloomin Flowers a locally-run business she opened with her mother when she was just 18-years-old. Passionate about the floral industry and horticulture, Zoe has had a relationship with and fondness for floristry her whole life.

“When I was young my parents bought a small property and started growing flowers, giving me firsthand insight into the many different aspects and processes within the industry,” Zoe said.

“Bloomin Flowers started off small, with only my mother and myself working fulltime, and now eight years later we have had to hire two part-time staff members and are totally self-sufficient with our own home-grown supply of gerberas, delphiniums and a variety of foliage.”

Zoe completed a Certificate III in Floristry last year through block training. She is now studying a certificate IV at Challenger and hopes to use her training to pass on knowledge and skills to her staff.

“Since starting my learning at Challenger I’ve seen my talents widen and I feel much more confident as a florist, which in turn improves the service we offer within our business,” Zoe said.

“Floristry is an ever changing market and you are required to be adaptable. I truly believe that in this vocation ones training is never over.”

The 2014 Vocational Student of the Year Award is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Applecross and Fremantle.

A florist from Western Australia’s Great Southern region has won Challenger Institute’s Vocational Student of the Year Award.

Family and food are perfect ingredients

for award winner

Challenger Institute’s 2014 VET in Schools Student of the Year award winner Mikayla Archibald.

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Engineering students design, build complex fabrication machine

Challenger engineering lecturer Ross Jarvis (2nd from left) and staff assistants with the student team.

In a major accomplishment, five international Advanced Diploma of Engineering students have designed and built a complex digital 3D machining centre.

“The course has provided me with the opportunity to see firsthand the many aspects of professional cookery, including the hours involved and the skills and dedication it takes to become an extraordinary chef,” Mikayla explained.

A student at Kennedy Baptist College, Mikayla is a participant in the Pre-Apprenticeships in Schools (PAiS) program. The program allowed her to attend high school and train at Challenger Institute, while completing a work placement at Bluewater Grill Steakhouse in Applecross.

Challenger hospitality program manager Leo Smith said Mikayla is a genuine self-starter who has planned her future career in detail.

“Mikayla has used her work placement to build a network for when she starts her career. She knows how to place herself well for future employment and has used every avenue available to her,” Mr Smith said.

The 2014 VET in Schools Student of the Year is sponsored by MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre.

“This was the most ambitious student project we have ever undertaken and they have managed to deliver a commercially viable complex tool that offers various improvements on existing models, and they’ve done it in addition to their regular course workload,” Mr Jarvis said.

Challenger’s advanced diploma has been awarded worldwide recognition by the International Engineering Alliance (IEA), having earlier become the first vocational course of its kind in Australia to be accredited by Engineers Australia.

The project was completed at Challenger’s well equipped Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) in Fremantle. The Fab Lab concept emerged in 2001 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and since then more than 120 Fab Labs have sprung up in 34 countries around the world to shares ideas and information about digital fabrication.

The computer controlled machine (CNC machine) was the product of a year of work by a team of ten Advanced Diploma of Engineering students who designed a unique split-level flatbed machining centre, applying the mathematics, physics and engineering principles acquired through their studies.

The group comprised students from Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, USA, Pakistan as well as local students.

The CNC machine is able to be a plasma cutter, 3D printer, mould manufacturer, robot welder, milling machine and more, processing a variety of materials.

Engineering lecturer Ross Jarvis said the design and build of the machine was an impressive achievement with patent and new commercial prospects.

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New high school program launches engineering careersA new training program is providing high school students from the Rockingham and Kwinana areas with engineering skills that will allow them to pursue careers as diesel fitters, fitters and turners, welders and fabricators.

Challenger Institute in partnership with the Kwinana Industries Council (KIC) recently launched the Plant Mechanic (Heavy Diesel) Work Placement Program, which aims to help high school students discover a range of career opportunities the industry has to offer.

The students, selected from Gilmore College, Living Waters Lutheran College, Safety Bay Senior High School, Comet Bay College and Rockingham Senior High School will receive a Certificate II in Engineering on successful completion.

The program is designed to develop students’ mechanical essential skills and aims to heighten students’ apprenticeship prospects in the plant mechanic and mechanic fitting industry areas.

KIC director Chris Oughton said the program is of significant value for local high school students.

“This program is another extension of the KIC Education Development Program and is just another way in which KIC is working towards providing local students with the best possible opportunities in pursuing their careers in industry,” Mr Oughton said.

Challenger Institute applied engineering and Australian Centre for Energy Process Training (ACEPT) director Greg Guppy said these types of programs were essential if local youth were to have employment opportunities within local industry.

“The partnership provides an opportunity to train students to meet the standards required by industry so that they have a good chance of employment,” Mr Guppy said.

Plant Mechanic (Heavy Diesel) Work Placement Program 2015 students with KIC

director Chris Oughton, Challenger Institute applied engineering and ACEPT director Greg

Guppy, and program manager Mark Lester.

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