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DURACKINSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DURACKDimensionsWinner! State’s top large training providerDurack Institute of Technology has been named 2015 WA Large Training Provider of the Year, at the annual WA Training Awards held recently in Perth. In the awards’ 21st year, Durack beat two other training institutes to take the top award, for delivering quality training in Western Australia. Durack previously won this prestigious award in 2010 and was a finalist in the same category for 2011 and 2012. Newly-appointed Managing Director, Bill Swetman congratulated staff and said the win was a credit to all their hard work.“Over the years we have worked very hard to establish ourselves as a successful, award winning training provider for the Mid West and Gascoyne regions,” he said.“There are a number of key areas the Institute focuses on to ensure the best outcomes for our clients.”“We work closely with employers to ensure our graduates have the skills needed for the workforce,” said Mr Swetman.Durack has established key partnerships with industry, community and the remote region to provide students with the real life training experiences so vital to their being job ready.“Investment in new facilities and equipment for training and in professional development for our staff ensure our students have access to the best possible training experience,” Mr Swetman said.“This is evidenced by our student satisfaction rates continuing to be above 90 per cent.”Durack then went on to compete at the Australian Training

Discover a multitude of dimensions at Durack... including our people, our achievements & our courses

What’s inside this issue ...WorldSkills Australia regional competitions for hairdressing, plumbing & electrical trades

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It’s time to get to know our newly appointed Managing Director - Bill SwetmanPAGE 3

Vet nursing students get hands-on experience at City of Greater Geraldton simulated animal emergency exerciseBACK PAGE

EDITION 1 NOVEMBER 2015

Providing training pathways to great opportunities and #BetterFutures

Awards held in Hobart, Tasmania on 19 November. Despite not winning the national award for this category, Durack is proud to be highlighted as a national finalist and is committed to excelling in vocational education and training in the Mid West and Gascoyne.

Durack’s new Managing Director, Bill Swetman, proudly holds the WA Large Training Provider Award.

On becoming a finalist for 2015 Large Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart:“This is evidenced by our student satisfaction rates continuing to be above 90 per cent.”Bill Swetman, Durack Managing Director

Worldskills Australia gold medals More than 30

apprentices and students from the Mid West have competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competitions hosted at Durack.A range of skill categories were assessed including Hairdressing, Plumbing and Electrical Trades in Durack’s state-of-the-art training facilities.All participants competed in a series of skill-specific tests designed by industry experts focused on unearthing talent in young Australians.Gold, silver and bronze regional medalists will attend their medal presentation ceremony in Perth in early December. The lucky members of Team WA will also be announced in order to to compete at the National competition to vie for the coveted title of Australia’s best in October 2016.Winners then go onto represent Australia in 2017 as a Skilleroo!

Hairdressing gold medal winner Ebony Crowley from Hair Vault

Kyle gets just rewardIn an unusual move late last year, the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), awarded a runner-up in its annual national Trade Teacher Award to Durack Institute of Technology lecturer, Kyle Praprotnik.Although he didn’t take out the top gong in the coveted award, Kyle was one of the candidates that so impressed the judges they singled him out as runner-up.Leader of the 2014 NECA Trade Teacher Award judging panel, Wes McKnight, said the panel highly commended Kyle for his enthusiasm and commitment to the industry.

“Kyle is clearly an up-and-coming star and it’s great to see young people with his potential taking such an active part in training the next generation of electrical contractors,” said Wes.Kyle has lectured in Electrotechnology at Durack’s Geraldton campus for more than seven years, and teaches the electrical apprentice program where he has 86 indentured apprentices under his supervision.Robert Verryt, Head of Programs Construction and Rural Industries at Durack, said to be highly commended in a national award was a fantastic achievement.

High Commendation for teaching

L - R Electrotechnology Team: Rob Verryt, Eric Drummond, Kyle Praprotnik and Jake De Lange.

Two of Durack’s lecturers were nominated for the prestigious 2015 Western Australian Regional and Community Awards.

Mrs Yvonne Ellis from the Carnarvon Campus reached the semi-finals and Dr Suellen Kelly from the Geraldton Campus made it to the finals in the Curtin University Teaching Excellence Award Category.

Mrs Ellis has been with Durack for 20 years delivering a range of

qualifications including community services, aged care and Certificate IV Training and Assessment.

Dr Kelly lectures in Animal Care and the Certificate IV

in Veterinary Nursing. She keeps her industry hand in part time at a Geraldton vet practice, and credits the support of local veterinary clinics, pet shops and stock feeders, farriers, wild life parks, shelter groups and council rangers for the success of the vet nursing program at Durack.

Dr Kelly said Durack’s program is only the second in the state for face-to-face delivery with growing class numbers with each Lecturer continually striving to

Lecturers nominated in prestigious Regional WA awards

improve the training system.

Durack is proud to support and showcase the teaching excellence of both Lecturers in the Mid West and Gascoyne regions.

Yvonne Ellis - Carnarvon campus

Suellen Kelly - Geraldton campus

Plumbing gold medal winner Andrew Wilson from Herrings Coastal Plumbing and Gas Fitting

Electrical Trades gold medal winner John Patrick from ATC Midwest, host employer Elite Electrical Contracting

Durack CalendarKey Dates

NOVEMBERAnnual Art Exhibition

DECEMBERTraining Admissions CLOSE

DECEMBERInternational Day of People with Disability

DECEMBERGERALDTON CAMPUSES CLOSE

JANUARYGERALDTON CAMPUSES REOPEN

JANUARYTraining Admissions on Campus

JANUARYGERALDTON General Enrolments on Campus

JANUARYAustralia Day Public Holiday

JANUARYGASCOYNE CAMPUSES REOPEN

JANUARYGASCOYNE General Enrolments on Campus

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— I N D U S T R Y C O N N E C T E D —Equipment donation gives back to apprentice trainingThe Carnamah branch of AFGRI Equipment recently donated a fully functioning Holden engine to Durack Institute of Technology’s Automotive Training Facility.The electronically controlled, fuel injected engine is mounted on a stand and includes all relevant functions including Computer and Emission Systems, Dashboard, and On-Board Diagnostic capabilities.The idea was the brainchild of AFGRI Equipment Carnamah sales and service representative, Alan Kidd, and the engine and stand were constructed by the company’s two apprentices, Luke Morley, and Chas Skipworth.“Luke and Chas had to employ all the skills they learned during their on-the-job apprentice training with AFGRI Equipment, as well as off-the-job training at Durack to achieve such a successful outcome,” said Mr Kidd.Durack’s Metal, Automotive, Transport and Art Department’s Training Director, Darren

Winterbine, said this equipment addition fits perfectly with Durack’s strategic goals of direct industry engagement.“I am pleased with AFGRI Equipment’s involvement and support of Durack’s apprentice training program,” he said.

AFGRI’s Alan Kidd, apprentices Luke Morley and Chas Skipworth with the donated engine.

Introducing our new Managing DirectorMr Bill Swetman recently joined Durack in August and has come with extensive experience in the VET and education sectors, encompassing a range of frontline, senior management and regulatory roles, including over 14 years’ experience in a number of regional settings in WA.With over 18 years’ experience in the TAFE

sector, Mr Swetman has held a number of senior management and leadership roles, being responsible for academic services, academic support, corporate services, and VET and Higher Education regulation. Mr Swetman’s most recent role was as General Manager, Organisational Services at Polytechnic West; the largest VET Institute in Western Australia.

Dynamic future continues for new Exmouth Campus

Bill Swetman

The Exmouth Campus recently opened its doors at the new premises at 5 Pellew Street.Moving to the new location provides the opportunity for expansion and storage areas.The decision to move was made after nearly a decade of operating at the Maidstone

Crescent campus which restricted expansion or the construction of new workshop facilities.It is expected the new facility will enhance Durack’s information technology and e-learning capacity for students particularly once the NBN is connected.The Shire of Exmouth has expressed an interest to redevelop Durack’s current facility as part of their larger plan to develop the Ningaloo Centre. Durack is a long term partner with the Shire, and supports continued improvements in the Exmouth CBD, including this opportunity to relocate for progress to commence.

Staff welcome visitors to the new campus.

Geraldton Campus Contacts Aboriginal Student Support 9956 6124

Aboriginal Learning Centre 9956 2781

Bookshop Officer 9956 2894

Equity & Access Inclusion Officer 9956 6134

Evolution Training Salon Bookings 9956 6199

Library 9956 2712

Marketing & Communications Coordinator 9956 2749

Pepperell Student Village Residential Supervisors 9956 2760

Student Administration & Enrolments 9956 2785

Student Services Coordinator 9956 6140

Vocational Education and Training (VET) for schools Coordinator 9956 2802

Zeewijk Training Restaurant Bookings 9956 2732

Carnarvon Campus Contacts Student Administration & Enrolments 9941 0100

Exmouth Campus Contacts Student Administration & Enrolments 9949 2624

Durack Institute of Technology | Phone:1800 672 700 | info@durack.edu.au | RTO CODE 2065

Online applications for 2016 semester onefull time courses close Wed 2 December 2015

Vet students help with Barndi Mara exerciseIn June, Durack vet nursing students and staff took part in a City of Greater Geraldton emergency exercise to test the activation of Local Animal Emergency Welfare Guidelines.The project was called Barndi Mara, Wajarri for in good hands, or in safe hands. The purpose of the field exercise was to ensure all local emergency agencies are familiar with the geography of the local area; its surrounds, facilities and procedures during a real emergency response situation.Durack’s vet nursing students assessed animals brought into the emergency shelter, including horses.One dog presented with suspected Canine Parvovirus, all part of the simulated emergency of course, and Durack students had to isolate and assess his condition.Durack Animal Care lecturer, Dr Suellen Kelly, said it was a good exercise for the students.“In a situation like this you never know what will present so it was a good exercise for the students to be involved in,” she said.The exercise was filmed by local company Dragonfly Media and was presented by the CGG at the WA Fire and Emergency Services Conference in Perth, and has been screened at the Australian Institute of Animal Management Conference in Townsville.

Vet nursing students and Dr Suellen Kelly, right, tend to a dog with simulated burns.

Follow us onwww.durack.edu.au #BetterFutures

General EnrolmentsGERALDTON CAMPUSThursday 21 & 22 JanuaryGASCOYNE CAMPUSfrom 27 January onwards

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT?• Talk with our course and career advisors

in Student Services to discuss your training options for 2016

• Full course list available on Durack website

• Apply online at www.durack.edu.au