Inspire Education offers courses in training and assessing – also known as TAE.

We spoke to one of our experienced TAE Trainers, Steve Supel, to find out what it’s like to work in the VET sector.

Working in the VET sector is great if you love your industry and genuinely want to make a difference in how your industry evolves. It can be quite exhausting working as a Teacher/Trainer but so can running a marathon.

The reward comes when you can see positive results for your effort and determination. In my present role, I am lucky enough to meet people from all walks of life and to assist them in achieving the next milestone in their lives.

What types of people do you think the sector really needs?

Motivated, outgoing, positive and energetic people that see the cup half full… People who are sociable, dedicated to their industry areas, are non-judgemental and are able to communicate well in groups and one on one situations.

Can you tell me what a typical day looks as a Teacher/Trainer?

I doubt that there is a generic ‘Picture of a Trainer’s day’. Nor do I think that every day is the same or predictable. My day starts at the end of the previous day, when I reflect on what worked well and what could have been better with the learner group based on their particular dynamic. I then begin thinking about methods and activities that would best be suited to engaging the learners and giving them a memorable and enjoyable experience.

At the start of the next day I like to organise and then implement new and fresh learning experiences that suit the group’s dynamic. At the end of the day preparation for the following day begins again with the self-reflection…

What is the most challenging, yet rewarding part of the job?

Getting learners ‘buy-in’ to the learning cycle can be challenging as the attitude towards learning can vary depending on the individual’s reason for being there… Some people are there because they want to be. Some people are there because they have been told to be there. Some people haven’t been in a Training situation for some time and may feel nervous or apprehensive about attending. Some people may have had unenjoyable experiences in past training. The list goes on.

The intrinsic reward for me comes when I’m able to achieve the buy-in and see them bloom by showing them the big picture, making them feel welcome and providing them with meaning and relevance for the training they are about to undertake and then subsequently succeed and enjoy the experience.

How has someone dramatically benefited from the work you do?

I have had a number of people tell me that their approach to training within their organisations/companies or workplace had changed after they were shown the benefits of well-planned and facilitated training.

Recently I had a student say to me: “I can’t believe I haven’t been doing what you have shown me! The change in the attitude and performance of my staff has been amazing. They are happy, their productivity has increased and they now feel a part of the business. This is all because I changed my approach to training and communicating with them”.

What’s the best part about working as a TAE Trainer?

Meeting people who want to have an impact on the betterment and evolution of their industries.

What made you want to become a TAE trainer?

It was the negative aspects that I had experienced throughout my own education (both formal and workplace training) that encouraged me to become a teacher and be the opposite of those experiences.

Job requirements

What experience does someone need?

To train in a particular industry, you need to have the relevant industry experience.

What qualifications does a TAE Trainer need?

Minimum Diploma in Adult Education.

Job outcome

What are the pay rates?

They can vary, depending on what industry and experience you have. It can be up to $110,000 a year or more, depending on your experience and job role responsibilities.

What are the hours? Are they full-time, part-time or casual?

It depends on where you work and your role. It could be any of these depending on what suits your lifestyle and how much you want to work.

What types of duties does the job involve?

When I’m training face-to-face, I need to prepare the course work and presentations and make them engaging, educational and fun.

Online training is the closest thing to face-to-face training, but it does take some time to learn new, innovative and engaging ways to emulate the classroom environment in a virtual space. Through collaboration with some of my colleagues, I have been able to introduce some new activities and experiences that actually rival those that can be done in the face-to-face classroom.

What different types of workplaces do TAE trainers work in?

There’s a whole range of workplaces you could work in. You could work in a private company as their in-house trainer. As a TAFE or vocational education teacher, workplace trainer and assessor, instructional designer or even start your own training business.

You could have a role like mine, which is at a Registered Training Organisation to train other people to become a TAE trainer. There are so many possibilities.

What’s the industry demand?

Good trainers will always have work. Most industries need their trainers to have the qualification, so you’ll most likely find you’ll be valued and an asset to any business.

Interested in becoming a TAE Trainer?

If you’re interested in becoming a TAE Trainer, get in touch. Click here for more information.

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