TAFETalks: Powering inclusive TAFE Teaching with UDL guidelines
Thank you for attending TDA’s TAFETalks: Powering inclusive TAFE Teaching with UDL guidelines If you could not attend or would like to re-watch, the recording is now available below. • Click here to view Elizabeth Hitches’ presentation• Click here to view Naomi McGrath, Tanya Allan and John Fardoulis’ presentation • Click here to view Michele McKell’s presentation […]
From stay-at-home mum to a career in compassion
Studying the Adult Tertiary Preparation (ATP) course, she’s determined to set an example for her children, proving that pursuing higher education and a rewarding career is never too late.
Having spent the past 17 years as a stay-at-home mum, she has shifted gears to focus on a new path, initially considering the police force.
“I want a career where I can help people, but after being diagnosed with ADHD, I realised the police force wasn’t an option,” Jessica said.
Undeterred, she set her sights on becoming a paramedic instead, a career where she could still make a difference in people’s lives, so she began studying with TAFE Queensland to enrol in university and study Paramedicine.
CR TAFE WA
Central Regional TAFE (CRTAFE), in collaboration with Bundi Yamatji Aboriginal Corporation (BYAC) and funded by an Australian Government Our Marine Parks Grant, developed a training program to assist emerging Yamatji Sea Rangers build their capacity to manage their traditional Sea Country, understand the biocultural values of the Abrolhos Marine Park, and be active participants in its management.
SM TAFE WA
Adrienne (Ady) Viti, a proud South Sea Islander and Noongar woman, embodies the NAIDOC Week 2025 theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.” While raising two children, caring for her father, and working full-time at Rio Tinto, Ady completed the Certificate IV in Leadership and Mentoring at SM TAFE.
The culturally safe program helped her grow in confidence and formalise her natural mentoring skills. Now a Program Advisor ATAL at Rio Tinto and winner of SM TAFE’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award, Ady supports young Indigenous people to overcome barriers and build strong futures.
TAFE Gippsland
After losing his 19-year-old son, Alan Webb was overwhelmed by grief and anger, facing a possible prison sentence. Instead, he joined Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place — a culturally safe space for Aboriginal men — where he began healing through writing and cultural reconnection.
His poem The fire of knowledge, now displayed at TAFE Gippsland and Wulgunggo Ngalu, symbolises his transformation. Alan also took part in horticulture training and is now studying a Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing.
Supported by Wulgunggo Ngalu and TAFE Gippsland, Alan’s story shows the life-changing impact of culturally responsive education and support.
TasTAFE
A proud pakana man from nipaluna / Hobart, Harley Mansell works as a tour guide with wukalina Walk, a 4-day Aboriginal-owned guided cultural walk in north-east lutruwita / Tasmania.
Harley completed his Certificate III in Guiding at TasTAFE in 2024 and has become a strong advocate for VET within his community – but it took him a while to find this pathway.
“When I graduated from school back in 2005, I did a bit of cherry picking down in the Huon Valley,” Harley said. “A bit of factory work, a bit of trade work now and then… But I never really found my feet in my20s. Then I went back to TAFE in my 30s, and look at where it’s leading now – I’m doing good things.”
TAFE SA
TAFE SA training across the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, in the remote north-west of South Australia, is guided by the Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC) and is helping Anangu develop practical skills in sectors such as health and construction which are being used to benefit local communities.
This training can include short courses, skill sets and qualifications, which are delivered at TAFE SA learning centres at Amata, Ernabella, Fregon, Indulkana, Kalka Pipalyatjara and Mimili by lecturers who live in the community.
Charles Darwin University
Skill shortages in remote areas means that something as simple as repairing a leaky tap can cost thousands of dollars.
A new program from Charles Darwin University, is offering people training in some of the skills that would otherwise require a contractor, who might have to travel hundreds of kilometres to provide services costing thousands of dollars.
The Northern Territory Government provided Charles Darwin University (CDU) funds to deliver in-community training to expand On Country skills at seven remote Community Hubs that service more than 20 remote communities.
TAFE NSW
The Koori Writing Group, is one of TAFE NSW Taree’s innovative programs. It’s having a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal people by empowering them to share their stories in their own words and communication styles.
Through the Koori Writing Group, participants have the opportunity to write and publish their stories, capturing their unique experiences as Aboriginal people. These stories are then compiled into books, which are distributed to families, friends, and local TAFE NSW libraries.
TAFE NSW
Aunty Beth, a proud Gamilaraay and Wayilwan woman, has dedicated her life to the revival and teaching of Indigenous languages, profoundly influencing communities across north-western New South Wales.
Aunty Beth’s story began in Walgett, where she first learned Gamilaraay from her mother. Despite the risks and challenges of speaking the language during difficult times, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her cultural heritage. Her unwavering dedication to language and culture eventually led her to break new ground as the first Aboriginal language teacher employed by TAFE NSW in 2010.
