Jayke Wilson first walked through the doors of SuniTAFE as an automotive student, 17 years on and he is now SuniTAFE’s new Light Automotive teacher.

“Becoming a teacher at SuniTAFE was always a goal, it’s a rewarding and challenging experience and a way to help the industry continue to move forward,” Jayke said.

“I thoroughly enjoyed all the teachers that I had, and I thought how cool it would be if I could provide the same help that I received all those years ago.”

A passion for all things with motors was something Jayke developed at a young age with his family involved in motorsport. 

It was in Year 10 that Jayke began his official training with an apprenticeship through Oasis Auto Service.

“I worked there for 12 years, before working in other various workshops and dealerships,” Jayke said.

“I held various roles including Workshop Controller, Pre-Delivery Foreman and Service Manager.

“I was interested in becoming a teacher but didn’t know how to get the ball rolling and that is when my co-worker Rodney Sparrow approached me about the Victorian Automotive Forum scholarship.

Jayke was the first recipient of the Victorian Automotive Forum (VAF) Certificate IV TAE scholarship.
The scholarship entitled Jayke to $1000 towards completing a (TAE40116) Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at SuniTAFE and a one-year membership to the VAF forums and Professional Development sessions.

“In just under 12 months I studied with teacher Nicky Moore at SuniTAFE’s night school to complete my certificate and once that was completed the teaching opportunity came up.”

Jayke has found he has settled into his new role quite easily and is enjoying bringing to the table a range of experience.

“I bring with me life experience in various places,” he said.

“I have done a lot more outside of dealerships than just the general dealership servicing and stuff like that. A lot more repairs in the aftermarket industry and I have a background in drag racing with my dad Danny and I share the driving of our 1935 Ford Pickup in Modified Eliminator.”

Interested in learning more about working at SuniTAFE? Click here.