With years of experience in leading and managing in various workplaces, Scott Hopkins has plenty of wisdom to share with his students.

Scott has been teaching at SuniTAFE for close to five years across a range of courses. This includes Leadership and Management, Retail, First Aid, and the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training. He is now also an Education Delivery Manager for Business Studies.

Teaching is a fairly recent addition to Scott’s resume. However, he believes that he has now found his niche, where his interests in teaching and management are combined.

“I have an extensive management career across retail, hospitality, and education and a love of teaching. In my role at SuniTAFE, I am able to do both,” Scott said.

This workplace experience is also highly beneficial to Scott’s students.

“I use real life experiences to teach. I am able to use my VET Sector knowledge to convey the curriculum in a way that the students are able to understand, not just the VET language that can be confusing at times.”

“I love teaching students and being able to contextualise the learning into their language,” he said.

Scott has received recognition for his exceptional teaching. In 2020, he was named SuniTAFE’s Teacher of the Year. Then, in 2021, he was a finalist for the Victorian Training Awards Teacher/Trainer of the Year award.

For Scott, however, seeing his students succeed is a greater reward for the work he does.

“It’s like a proud dad moment for me when a student has the ‘light bulb’ moment and all pieces of their learning falls into place.”

“When you’re green, you’re growing”

Scott believes strongly in the value of learning and expanding your skillset whilst on the job. He has continued to pursue further education since commencing his first role at SuniTAFE.

“Since starting at SuniTAFE, I have completed my Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Graduate Certificate in Adult and Vocational Education, and I am currently studying for my Graduate Diploma in Adult and Vocational Education,” Scott said.

“Ray Kroc, founder of McDonalds, stated ‘when you’re green you’re growing, when you’re ripe you rot.’ This is something that I believe you need to keep in the forefront of your mind.”

The courses that Scott teaches, including the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, reflect this philosophy.

Aimed at those already employed in relevant positions, these courses are designed for those who want to gain further skills and knowledge to perform their roles more effectively and advance their careers.

As Scott states, these courses are for those who “have found their niche in life and are interested in studying.”

Watch the video - Scott speaks about why he loves teaching at SuniTAFE.

Read more about the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training and Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.