tech issue seven // june 2013

POLYTECHNIC WEST MAGAZINE

Celebrating SuccessEmma Bain takes out the

Geof Gale Medal P4

Fauna HandlingChevron looks to PWA

for fauna handling training P7

Women in MiningPWA students experience the

FIFO life P11

Perth InternationalStudent Festival

Lisa Sca�di joinsthe celebration P14

BricklayerAlan Ramsden

representsAustralia at

Global SkillsChallenge

P3

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■ I would like to take thisopportunity to introduce myself,having commenced asPolytechnic West’s newManaging Director in Februarythis year. I would like to wish theoutgoing Managing Director,Wayne Collyer, all the best in hisnew endeavours and

acknowledge Wayne’s significant contribution to thestate and national tertiary sector over many years.

I have worked in a variety of leadership roles across thevocational education and training sector, working with a range ofcommunities and industry sectors. I have a strong interest inproviding effective workforce development solutions foremployers and building capability to provide responsive clientfocused services. Having spent part of my professional life inremote areas of Western Australia I am also passionate aboutincreasing the accessibility of educational opportunities.

Polytechnic West provides tertiary education and workforcedevelopment services to more than 30,000 students and 4000employers annually and I am looking forward to working withPolytechnic West’s Governing Council and executive team togrow our reputation as a first choice provider at a state, nationaland international level.

This edition of Tech Talk covers the important events PolytechnicWest has been involved in over the last few months. One of thehighlights was the annual awards night and the higher educationgraduation ceremony in February. It was a pleasure to see futureleaders, thinkers and members of the workforce beingrecognised in front of their peers, trainers and industry.

Another significant event was the WorldSkills Global SkillsChallenge that took place across our Midland, Carlisle andBentley campuses. The Challenge is an important warm upevent for the WorldSkills Competition in Germany this July.

I trust you will enjoy reading about the many achievements, andparticularly our involvement with such a range of industrysectors, as part of this edition of Tech Talk.

Warm regards,

Jill Jamieson,Managing Director, Polytechnic West

Welcome to the first editionof Tech Talk for 2013 2

Celebrating Success 3

Global Skills Come toPolytechnic West 6

Fauna Handling 7

Polytechnic WestAnnual Fashion Show 8

Service in the Sky 9

Women in Miningwith Rio Tinto 10

Open2Study 11

Work Safe Awards 12

Perth InternationalStudent Festival 13

For all editorial enquiries please contact;Marketing Department, Polytechnic West,PO Box 1336 Midland, WA 6939Ph: (08) 63304562Email:marketing@polytechnic.wa.edu.au

WELCOME TO THEFIRST EDITION OF

TECH TALK FOR 2013Contents

GLOBAL SKILLS COME TOPOLYTECHNIC WEST

EIGHTY-SIX INTERNATIONALCOMPETITORS FROM 12

COUNTRIES MADE THE JOURNEYTO PERTH TO TEST THEIR SKILLS

AGAINST AUSTRALIA’S BEST

■ The 2013 WorldSkills GlobalSkills Challenge (GSC) was heldacross Polytechnic West’s Midland,Carlisle and Bentley campusesfrom Monday 29th April to Friday3rd of March.

The GSC – a key warm up event for the42nd WorldSkills International Competitionbeing held in Leipzig, Germany, in July –was opened by the Honourable TerryRedman MLA, Minister for Training andWorkforce Development; Water; Forestryon the Monday night.

Eighty-six international competitors from12 countries made the journey to Perth totest their skills against Australia’s best – theSkillaroos – in 29 competition categories,from auto body repair to restaurant serviceto polymechanics.

Polytechnic West’s own Alan Ramsdenrepresented Australia in the bricklayingcategory.

“Achieving success in WorldSkills competitions is a team effort. Iwould like to acknowledge the support provided by the manyemployers and workplace mentors in developing the skills andknowledge of young people, such as Alan, to be ready tocompete on the world stage” Jill said.

Day two of competition saw Mr Redman conduct a tour acrossthe main hub of action, Midland campus, to view competitors inaction.

Escorted by Ms Jamieson, Mr Redman spoke with competitorsfrom Australia and overseas from a range of skills areas.

The competitors now have a couple of months to sharpen up theirskills before heading to Germany for the WorldSkills Competition.

Alan Ramsden competing in the bricklaying event

(L to R) The Honourable Terry Redman MLA, Alan Ramsden, Polytechnic WestManaging Director Jill Jamieson

A competitor from Malaysia in the refrigeration and air conditioning event

Polytechnic West Managing Director Jill Jamieson said she waspleased to welcome so many international competitors.

“Polytechnic West has a long association with WorldSkills, at anational and international level. It’s been fantastic to seestudents from abroad displaying their world class skills.

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trainers and employers who, through their excellence, havecontributed to another outstanding year at Polytechnic West.”

The awards night is also an occasion to recognise past studentswho have gone on to achieve success in their careers withinduction into the Polytechnic West Alumni.

Former engineering student and 2010 Geof Gale winner, LucasKickett and hospitality management student Vanessa Thomsonwere inducted.

Trainer of the Year George Coldham and International Student of the YearKarma Wangdi

2012 Polytechnic West Awards Winners

Geoff Gale Medallist &Apprentice of the Year Emma Bain

Trainee of the Year Shannen Berardi

Vocational Education andTraining Student of the Year Robert Harris

Flexible/OnlineStudent of the Year Peter Nyamande

Aboriginal & Torres StraitIslander Student of the Year Taylor Jane Bellotti

School BasedApprentice of the Year Taylor Nash

International Studentof the Year Karma Wangdi

Culturally and LinguisticallyDiverse Student of the Year Than Thoung Htike

Trainer of the Year George Coldham

2012 Polytechnic Alumni Inductees

Lucas Kickett

Vanessa Thomson

Geof Gale medallist Emma Bain

“Emma is a very driven and competitive student whose attentionto detail was always going to help her achieve success in hercareer.”

Information Technology lecturer George Coldham was given tophonours as Trainer of the Year. Mr Coldham, who is only in histhird year at Polytechnic West, enjoys the satisfaction he gainsfrom being a lecturer.

“The best part of being a trainer is when the students finally getit. It’s very gratifying when eventually you can really say theyunderstand,” George said.

“I teach a reasonably high level and they come in and feel lostand struggle for a bit, but when they get it you can really feel likethey’re going to be successful.

Employers were recognised across PWA’s four academicdivisions. The winners were:

Best Start Program, Department for Communities -Access & Community;

Crown Perth - Commerce & Hospitality;

By the Book Bricklaying - Construction Trades;

Downer EDI - Engineering & Resources.

Polytechnic West Managing Director Jill Jamieson presented thestudents with their awards and congratulated all finalists on theirnominations.

“These finalists will be the decision makers of tomorrow and thepolytechnic is proud to have been involved in the shaping oftheir futures,” Ms Jamieson said.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to recognise our students,

■ A warm summer evening amongst the pinesproved the perfect backdrop for Polytechnic Westto recognise and reward their top students,lecturers and employers at the organisation’s annualawards night.

Held under the stars at the Bentley campus, nominees werejoined by Mr John McGrath MLA South Perth, representatives ofPerth’s Industry Training Councils, Polytechnic West’s GoverningCouncil, directors, employers, staff, family and friends.

Mr McGrath, representing the Minister for Training andWorkforce Development, announced Apprentice of the Year,Emma Bain, as the Geof Gale Medallist - Polytechnic West’sStudent of the Year for 2012

Ms Bain, a resident of Gosnells, completed an apprenticeship inpainting and decorating and is currently employed by PH + BHRoberts, a local painting company.

“While growing up I used to accompany my dad along to hisrenovation jobs, and I always had an interest in painting. Itwasn’t until a Polytechnic West Customer Service Officerrecommended an apprenticeship in Painting and Decoratingthat I considered it as a career path,” Ms Bain said.

“Now, I’m currently completing my Painter’s Registration, andhope to start my own business later in the year.”

Painting and Decoration lecturer Tony Willis said Ms Bainshowed promise from the outset.

“At the start of the painting and decorating course we tell ourstudents you can be a painter or an excellent painter, and wecould tell Emma was determined to become an excellentpainter,” he said.

All the winners on the night

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

I CAN HONESTLY SAYTHE BUILDING BLOCKS THAT

I HAD FROM POLYTECHNIC WESTMAKES ME KNOW THAT I CAME TO

THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE INWESTERN AUSTRALIA,”

Ms Thomson, who is currently the General Manager of DarbyPark Resort in Margaret River, says that the training she receivedhas really set up her future.

“It’s really humbling to be recognised like this, I can honestly saythe building blocks that I had from Polytechnic West makes meknow that I came to the best possible place in WesternAustralia,” Vanessa said.

“It’s absolutely set me up for my future, I speak to all my staffand say ‘I wish you’d had the training that I had’, so much sothat I’m actually thinking of becoming a lecturer here atPolytechnic West.”

“The friendliness, the making you feel like part of the family, youjust don’t feel like a stranger here, you feel at home from dayone. This is the place to come.”

Special thanks go to Crown Perth, MEGT Australia, Blue SkyCatering, Engineering and Automotive Training Council andStudent Edge who proudly sponsored the night and made itpossible.

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POLYTECHNIC WEST ANNUAL FASHION SHOW

Congratulations to allour winners and

everyone who took part

Student of the YearErin Donnelly

Most ConsistentStudent of the YearKimie Hosaka

Product DevelopmentAwardBridget Powell

Most OutstandingDesign AwardErin Donnelly

Range of the YearErin Donnelly Runner Up: Gina Bond

Textile Innovation AwardMorgan Davies

X-Press FashionGraduate AwardNicole Frahn

The Sheila MagazineEmerging Talent AwardIsabelle DavidsonRunner Up: Nicole Frahn

Gerber CAD Training AwardKathryn Casey

■ Polytechnic West third yearfashion students treated industry,staff, friends and family to the42nd annual Polytechnic West -West Australian Institute ofFashion & Textiles FashionParade last November.

The international standard paradedisplayed stunning pieces the studentshave been working on all year, as well asgiving them experience in organising alarge scale fashion show.

Head of Programs for Fashion andTextiles Adele Staveley said that theparade provided a great opportunity forstudents to get first-hand knowledge ofhow the fashion industry operates in thereal world.

“These students have beenworking on their collections all year,”Ms Staveley said.

“On show day they arrive at 8am, puttingthe final touches to their designs,preparing the music and guiding theirmodels. The models were there beforenoon; this is what really happens behindthe scenes of an event like this. Itdoesn’t all just come together with aclick of your fingers.”

Over 400 guests filled UWA’s octagontheatre for the event. At the parade’s endthe top students for 2012 were awardedwith prizes in nine categories includingStudent of the Year, taken out by ErinDonnelly.

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FAUNA HANDLING

SERVICE IN THE SKY■ Polytechnic West is offering a taste of the high life.

Whether it’s a career change, for a first job or anything inbetween, the Cabin Crew Familiarisation course is designed foranyone wanting to get a feel of what it’s like working as a cabincrew member.

The two day course educates attendees on the duties andexpectations of a cabin crew member, as well as outliningworking conditions, awards and wages, airline trainingrequirements and more.

Training takes place in the classrooms at Polytechnic West’sAeroSpace Training Centre and onboard their static Boeing737 aircraft.

The familiarisation course was held for the first time in 2012, andran again in late April, 2013.

AeroSpace Training Centre Director Steve Sartain said feedbackabout the course had been positive.

“The students thoroughly enjoyed the practice aspects of thetraining, while being provided with a realistic view of the rolesand duties of a cabin crew member,” he said.

Upon completion anyone eager to pursue a career in the air canprogress onto Polytechnic West’s Certificate II in Aviation, aneight week full-time course designed to give students the beststart possible to their cabin crew careers.

This much more in depth course provides extensive training inbeing a cabin crew member. Polytechnic West’s Boeing 737 isused for the majority of practical training, which includesexercises such as simulated cabin fires, life raft training and slideevacuations.

Collectively Polytechnic West’s AeroSpace Training Centre staffhas over 50 years of experience ensuring that both courseshave been designed to be relevant to industry and provide theskills and knowledge that airlines seek in potential employees.

■ Polytechnic West’s animal studiesteam has partnered with some ofPerth’s largest mining companies todeliver animal handling training tostaff and contractors working onvarious projects in the country’sNorth West.

The customised three-day program teachesparticipants how to handle native fauna,including venomous snakes, birds andmarsupials.

Companies that have already taken part in the course includeChevron, Monadelphous, Anglo Gold Ashanti and KT-OSDPipelines.

Portfolio Manager Kerry Banyard said participants were taughthow to identify, capture and restrain fauna on the island.

“We run the course to teach participants about animal handling,

animal identification and native fauna,” MsBanyard said.

“There is also a conservation component,with lessons on handling and transportinginjured animals and basic first aid”.

Monadelphous Indigenous RecruitmentOfficer Kristina Petrow said the coursebrings benefits to both the company andthe individuals who attend.

“It ensures that if there is any trapped orinjured wildlife on the project there will

always be someone there who is qualified to assist,” she said.

“All our candidates loved the three day course. They said therewas heaps of variety and they loved being able to be ‘hands on’with the animals.

“It is also a great tool for the individuals for their futureemployment prospects.”

■ A starry sky and a string quartet set themood at Polytechnic West’s recent HigherEducation Graduations.

Polytechnic West continues to go from strength tostrength as a provider of higher education andcelebrated the achievements of the latest cohort ingrand style on a warm February evening.

In 2012 a total of 77 students graduated from one of thepolytechnic’s unique associate degrees or highereducation diplomas that range from business to fashionto aviation.

The audience was given a traditional welcome to countryby Mr Kim Collard before Polytechnic West ManagingDirector Jill Jamieson introduced the event. Successfulentrepreneur and businessman Justin Davies addressedthe graduates, encouraging them to use what they hadlearned to help themselves and others and to continueto learn throughout their career.

All the students collected their awards in front of friends,family and VIP guests before Associate Degree ofAviation (Aeronautics) graduate Faiza Merzouga waspresented with the higher education student of the yearaward.

“It was an honour to be able to receive such an award,”said Ms Merzouga, “the night was fantastic. There was areally nice atmosphere and it was good to see everyonein a relaxed environment.”

The ceremony ended with the graduates being admittedinto the academic community of Polytechnic West by theChair of the Academic Board, Dr Nic Gara.

Higher EducationGraduation Night

Higher Education Student of the Year Faiza Merzougaaddresses the audience

■ Polytechnic West was a proud sponsor of the 2013International Student Festival that took place at PerthCultural Centre in March.

A major calendar event for the international education sector andfor the community at large, the Festival presented an opportunityfor international students to meet others, enjoy a day ofentertainment, good food and fun in a festival-like atmosphere,and to receive information on Perth’s lifestyle and attractions.

Polytechnic West showcased its fashion and hospitality trainingcapabilities to a large crowd with current international studentshelping out with demonstrations.

The Honourable Lisa Scaffidi, Lord Mayor of the City of Perth,welcomed all international students and joined in the fun on thePolytechnic West hospitality display.

“International students help bring vibrancy and culture to our cityand therefore I am delighted to be part of this year’s City of PerthInternational Student Festival, an event that will help promoteharmony and friendships between international and localstudents,” she said.

Following her address to students the Lord Mayor took in theatmosphere of the event, including a visit to the Polytechnic Weststand to admire intricate fruit carvings and student-made fashiongarments on display.

“INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSHELP BRING VIBRANCY

AND CULTURE TO OUR CITY”

The Honourable Lisa Scaffidi, Lord Mayor of the City of Perthat the Polytechnic West display

PERTHINTERNATIONAL

STUDENT FESTIVAL

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WOMEN IN MINING WITH RIO TINTO

■ A group of seven students and three staff wereinvited to attend a ‘Women in Mining’ event at RioTinto’s Yandicoogina (Yandi) mine site as part of acollaborative relationship between Polytechnic Westand the mining company.

The Polytechnic West representatives were from the areas ofOccupational Safety and Health, Engineering, Hospitality andHuman Resources.

The Yandi site is located 95 kilometres northwest of Newman.Following an hour and a half flight from Perth and a thirty minutebus ride to the Yandi site, attendees were introduced to thecamp and the fly-in fly-out (FIFO) lifestyle.

This two day event at one of Rio’s most successful iron oremines gave the Polytechnic West students a fantasticopportunity to see the day to day workings of a large FIFOoperation. The event was a chance for the attendees to explorethe opportunities available to women in the mining industry.

Guests experienced an overnight stay on the site and had theopportunity to meet with many of the Yandi female employeeswho shared their mining career journeys.

Over the two days presentations were made by a variety ofwomen involved in the mining industry including Marita Cheng,2012 Young Australian of the Year and Holly Ransom, 2012 WAYoung Australian of the Year.

The itinerary also saw the group visit various elements of themining operations, including the mechanical workshop,processing and loading facilities, as well as a trip to the JunctionSouth East mine, where attendees saw a live blast take place.

Commercial Cookery student Kahri Wride took a lot ofencouragement from the trip.

“I had so much fun on the trip,” she said, “the experience is oneI won’t forget.”

“It was motivational seeing women empowered in an industrywhich has been male dominated as I’ve grown up. It was greatseeing strong women with life changing stories, and the powerthe speakers have given us.”

The students found the experience invaluable, both in terms ofproviding an understanding of their career path within theindustry, and making some great personal contacts. ThePolytechnic West staff was able to explore networkingopportunities that will assist in advising on the future careerpaths for our students, along with the possibility of ongoingworking relationships with Rio Tinto.

“IT WAS MOTIVATIONALSEEING WOMEN EMPOWERED INAN INDUSTRY WHICH HAS BEEN

MALE DOMINATED AS I’VEGROWN UP. IT WAS GREAT SEEING

STRONG WOMEN WITH LIFECHANGING STORIES.”

■ Polytechnic West’s own video ProjectManagement Principles went live on April 22 andalready had 2,300 enrolments at the time oflaunching.

“OUA recognises Polytechnic West as a stand-out provider ofonline training, and as such requested their involvement in theprogram,” said Portfolio Manager Greg Martin, “we knew wehad a very good presenter for a Project Management course inSue Dowson, so we became involved in Open2Study usingProject Management as the platform.”

The four module online course took about three months todesign and build and two months to shoot and produce.

Sue Dowson was flown to Melbourne in early January to be thevery first Subject Facilitator to be filmed.

“Scripts and assessment tools were built by me, and additionalresources located, for four modules and 10 videos each,” said

Sue, who started work on the course in November of 2012.

With Open2Study, OUA is attempting to build on the success ofother Massive Open Online Courses – MOOCs – established inthe USA such as Coursera and EdX. These MOOCs wereestablished by, and gather course content from, prominentAmerican universities such as Stanford and Princeton.

Open2Study aims to offer online education in a range ofsubjects that are in high demand. Subjects available includemanagement, advertising, education and nursing.

“We’re offering what people want. Subjects are based onresearch into demand,” said OUA CEO Paul Wappett.

“There’s a lot of free stuff on the internet, but that doesn’t meanthat it’s any good. We’re focused on delivering outstandingquality, but without the price tag.”

Open2Study can be accessed and www.open2study.com/.

OPEN2STUDY

■ Polytechnic West was recently recognised for itscommitment to work place safety with a GoldCertificate of Achievement as part of the Departmentof Commerce's WorkSafe Plan. This awardrecognises the Safety Management System in placewithin Polytechnic West.

The Safety Management System involves strong policies,management commitment, engaging in consultation with staff,providing training and identifying hazards in the workplace.

Polytechnic West Managing Director Jill Jamieson is verypleased with the accomplishment and recognition.

“This is a significant achievement which clearly demonstrates amajor shift in behaviour and culture for the organisation, and thiscertification is testimony to this change and level ofcommitment.

“Having a strong safety culture within the organisation ensuresthat we pass this message on to our students who in turn willcarry it forward to their future workplaces.”

The WorkSafe Plan audit was conducted by an external auditorand certificates remain valid for two years from the date of issue.

WORK SAFE AWARDS

“THIS IS A SIGNIFICANTACHIEVEMENT WHICH CLEARLY

DEMONSTRATES A MAJOR SHIFT INBEHAVIOUR AND CULTURE FOR THE

ORGANISATION, AND THISCERTIFICATION IS TESTIMONY

TO THIS CHANGE ANDLEVEL OF COMMITMENT.”

techtalkPOLYTECHNIC WEST MAGAZINE

PO Box 1336 Midland Western Australia 6936General Enquiries (08) 9267 7777 Course Information (08) 9267 7500Email info.centre@polytechnic.wa.edu.auInternet www.polytechnic.wa.edu.au

issue six // june 2012