With more than 23 years of experience in vocational education and training (VET), Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insight to her new role as Senior TAE Educator for TAE Plus.
“What excites me about TAE Plus is that it gives us the time and space to put the human element back into training. We’re not only teaching people how to train and assess, but also helping them understand the realities of working in the VET sector.”
Having spent more than 15 years teaching Training and Assessment (TAE), she has seen the qualification evolve significantly.
Over the years the qualification has moved through several versions, each responding to the needs of the sector. While earlier versions were either overly complex or too light on key areas like assessment, the current TAE qualification is far more detailed.
“While the workload is heavier for learners now, it means graduates leave with a much stronger understanding of training and assessment and are better prepared to start work in the VET sector.”
Chris has also been passionate about online learning long before it became widely adopted.
“I’ve always been a fan of eLearning. Even when people said it wouldn’t work, my view was that it wasn’t going anywhere, so we needed to learn how to do it well.”
Her early experience delivering virtual classrooms began more than a decade ago while working at Hunter TAFE, where she helped trial one of the first fully online deliveries of TAE. For Chris, one of the biggest advantages of eLearning is accessibility. Today, she continues to embrace digital learning tools that help create engaging and interactive online classrooms.
“It allows people to study anywhere, anytime. For learners living in remote or regional areas where there may not be a local training provider, online learning can make a huge difference.”
Throughout her career, Chris has worked with a diverse range of learners, including young people facing barriers to education, volunteer groups, TAFE teachers, and corporate and industrial clients. This experience has shaped her belief that learning should never be one-size-fits-all.
“It’s about understanding the learner in front of you. Training can’t be a cookie cutter experience. Everyone learns differently and needs different levels of support.”
Creating a supportive learning environment is central to her teaching style. Chris focuses on building psychological safety in the classroom so learners feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes and building their confidence.
“One of the questions I often ask my students is: ‘When you learnt to swim, did you get wet?’ Of course the answer is yes – because you have to jump in and have a go.”
Chris has also gained valuable experience working in Indigenous education, including living on the Tiwi Islands for two years and delivering training there for six months also, and spending six months living and working in Arnhem Land.
“These experiences taught me the importance of flexibility and understanding cultural commitments. It’s about respecting the community and country, making training relevant and being available to support learners when they need it.”
Now joining the TAE Plus team, Chris is excited about the opportunity to contribute to a program that takes a broader approach to developing educators.
“I want my learners to be the best trainer, assessor or TAFE teacher they can be. With the confidence, knowledge and skills to start working in the VET sector from day one.”