Automotive teacher Terry Pain was awarded the VETDSS Trainer of the Year award at the 2022 VET Excellence Awards held on 16 November.

A worthy winner of this award, Terry has taught within the areas of VET in Schools (VETiS) and VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) for close to 15 years. He has taught and trained several hundreds of students in this time.

As an automotive teacher, Terry is responsible for providing his many students with the necessary skills of the trade.

More than this, he also provides his students with life skills such as time management, team work, and communication.

Terry has also demonstrated his commitment to student success beyond the classroom. SuniTAFE was able to recommence participation in field trips and industry visits this year. Terry has been instrumental in organising these for SuniTAFE’s automotive students.

Allowing students to explore a wide range of career opportunities within the industry, Terry was involved in organising field trips to the Sunraysia Drag Racing Association, Mildura Field Days, and Mildura Motor Holdings.

These trips are of great importance and value to students who aspire to establish careers within the field. They provide students with the opportunity to speak with professionals, observe equipment being used within a real-world environment, and get a sense of the various directions their VET qualifications could take them.

Terry’s success at the VET Excellence Awards was also in recognition of the contribution he continues to make to the VETDSS sector more broadly. He is eager to pass on his knowledge and experience, and acts as a mentor for new teachers commencing VETDSS teaching roles.

The 2022 VET Excellence Awards presented an opportunity for the Mildura community to celebrate the achievements of students who are studying VET subjects locally, and to recognise the outstanding work of teachers delivering these subjects.

In addition to Terry’s success, seven SuniTAFE students were also awarded at the event.