Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

Marketing

GOTAFE team wins Victorian Training Award

Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE's (GOTAFE) Multimedia Development Team was announced the winner of the Client Services/Support Excellence Award at the annual Victorian Training Awards last Thursday night in Melbourne.

The Victorian Training Awards are one of the ways the Victorian Government rewards outstanding achievements and innovations in vocational education and training. The Awards recognise the valuable contribution of apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, employers, training providers and industry in building a world-class vocational education and training system in Victoria.

The Victorian VET Client Service/Support Excellence Award is presented to a staff member, or team/group of staff for a demonstrated outstanding contribution to the enhancement of educational success in vocational education and training. The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria's world-class training system.

GOTAFE Multimedia Manager, Craig Mathisen was nominated for his successful stewardship of innovative programs delivered by the Multimedia Development Team at GOTAFE for students, employers and industry at a local, state and national level. Under Craig's leadership, the team had produced exceptional marketing materials in a short time frame that engaged with target markets nationally.

The Multimedia Team develops marketing and learning resources for the Institute and educational, training and promotional products for businesses and industry. Whether internal or external, the products created by the Multimedia Team have provided innovative solutions for customers that have consistently exceeded client expectation.

The Team developed two externally funded projects, an interactive CD Rom and a website, with a focus on education and employment outcomes. Both projects won Australian Industry Awards in 2008, recognition of the team's high standard of customer service, process and product development.

GOTAFE CEO Paul Culpan said the Institute was delighted at the calibre of the services offered by the Multimedia team. "Over many years the team under the leadership of Craig Mathisen, have proven they are at the leading edge of design and multimedia. They constantly strive to be the best and this is due recognition of their achievements."

Multimedia Manager, Craig Mathisen, said the award was result of a strong team effort and a focus on providing quality work for all customers, whether internal or external. "Developing products for external organisations gives us the opportunity to use cutting edge technology which carries through to our work for GOTAFE," he said.

Other GOTAFE finalists were Technical Education Centre Pathways Officer, Narelle Lowe in the Client Services/Support Excellence category and Helen Ryan and Maria Ewart in the Victorian Training Initiative of the Year category.

Narelle was the key to matching individual TEC students with prospective employers and then supporting the transition of these young people from full time education and training to full time employment. "Narelle is an exceptionally motivated person and had been able to obtain valuable workplace opportunities for our TEC students since the inception of the TEC two years ago," said Mr Culpan. "Her drive and enthusiasm have ensured TEC students are work ready and meet the needs of employers."

GOTAFE Nursing Manager, Helen Ryan and Industry Sales Consultant, Maria Ewart assisted Kerang Hospital by providing a solution to their need to attract and retain nursing staff. A skills shortage coupled with increasing workplace pressures meant the Hospital was at serious risk of not being able to meet patient medical needs. Helen and Maria developed a flexible delivery training model using traineeships which was approved by the Victorian Nurses Board. Flexible delivery of nursing training and qualifications is radical for an industry where nursing education has always been delivered via traditional class room based/face-to-face delivery.

"Maria and Helen's innovative thinking and problem solving skills have led to a result for Kerang Hospital that is now being implemented in other parts of Victoria," said Mr Culpan.

"The award win and finalist status are indication that GOTAFE is a leading provider of education and training solutions for industry and employers and fosters an environment of development and success," said Mr Culpan.