TAFETalks
TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is proud to present…TAFETalks
TDA is excited to announce upcoming events in the TAFETalks series.
Registration for these events is free! If you cannot attend the event live, register anyway and you will receive a link to the recording.
TAFETalks provide a virtual platform for TAFE staff and other interested VET stakeholders to come together, to share, learn and create connections across institutes and states and territories on current issues and priorities.
TAFE staff are strongly encouraged to attend events and to participate fully in the Q&A sessions and group chat, however, TAFETalks are open to all interested stakeholders.
TAFETalks: Clean energy futures powered by TAFE
Wednesday 4 June 2025, 2.00-3.00PM AEST
Session Description
Join us to explore how TAFEs are partnering with industry, Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) and other TAFEs to lead innovation in Clean Energy initiatives relating to automotive and batteries. Learn more about the importance of collaborative partnerships in preparing the future workforce to support current and emerging automotive needs and power a clean energy future. You will also hear about the innovative work being undertaken by Canberra Institute of Technology Electric Vehicle Centre of Excellence, Bendigo Kangan TAFE, and TAFE Queensland Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries, along with AUSMASA (JSC) and Foton Mobility Distribution, Australian distributor of new energy heavy vehicles.
Speakers
Shane Randall
With over 25 years of Experience in the automotive industry, Shane Randall has built a distinguished career working with Manufacturers, aftermarket companies, and major corporations.
A qualified technician and a registered roadworthy inspector in both ACT and NSW, Shane’s expertise spans various aspects of the industry, from technical work to regulatory
compliance. His extensive network, both in Australia and abroad, has led to the development of valuable partnerships, particularly in New Zealand within BMW. In 2025, Shane was
honoured with the prestigious BMW MVP Award for his exceptional contributions to the BMW Electric Vehicle Training program.
His dedication to advancing the automotive sector, particularly in electric vehicle technology, continues to drive his work today.
Greg Mitchell
Greg has over 25 years of experience in the Tertiary Education sector, having previously held appointments with Central Queensland University, TAFE Queensland and currently is the Head of Clean Economy Initiatives with Bendigo Kangan Institute in Melbourne.
He is a keen supporter of the transition to Net Zero and works across a wide number of sectors to ensure students have access to emerging technologies in their vocational programs. Greg is the TAFE Directors Australia Clean Energy Network Chair and is a strong advocate for collaboration across the TAFE sector.
Caroline Winter
Caroline Winter is Training Product Development Team Lead for the Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (AUSMASA) Jobs and Skills Council.
Caroline has 20 years of experience in Education and Training where she has worked in different areas including VET in schools, RTO and industry. She has experience in managing the delivery of training programs, Learning Management Systems, software solutions, developing assessment tools, national training products, resources and compliance.
Ross Thompson
Ross is an experienced Heavy Vehicle After Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Automotive Industry. Ross has been focused on After Sales for more than 25 years with various major Truck and Bus OEM’s and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Foton Mobility / KRWHydron group as he leads their customer service team to ensure that their customers receive the very best of care and backup after purchasing the product. Ross has been engaged as the SME on many zero emission vehicle training products through various Tafe and University institutions and with the backing of their OEM’s provides knowledge and technical insights to Industry groups.
Shawn O’Sullivan
Shawn O’Sullivan has a wealth of experience in emerging industries education and training, shaped from a diverse career as a bush mechanic turned educator, to his current position as Executive Director, TAFE Centre of Excellence Clean Energy Batteries at TAFE Queensland.
The Centre, a $20M joint initiative by the Queensland and Australian Governments, thrives under Shawn’s leadership, focusing on equipping the nation’s workforce to meet the current and emerging needs of the clean energy batteries sector.
Passionate about accessible education, Shawn is committed to ensuring quality training is available to everyone, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds.
With a degree in vocational education and training and extensive experience in curriculum design and industry engagement, Shawn has been instrumental in developing innovative training opportunities that address both community and industry demands.
TAFETalks: Powering inclusive TAFE Teaching with UDL guidelines
Wednesday 18 June 2025, 2.00-3.00PM AEST
Session Description
Join us to learn more about the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how TAFEs are applying the framework to improve inclusive learning and teaching practice. Featuring Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training (ADCET), this session will provide an overview of UDL 3.0, along with practical examples of its integration into practice at TAFE NSW, TAFE SA and CIT.
Speakers
Elizabeth Hitches
Elizabeth Hitches strives to foster inclusive and equitable learning environments where all students and staff can reach their full academic and personal potential. Elizabeth works with the Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) and co-hosts the ILOTA Things podcast with colleagues Darren Britten and Joe Houghton, exploring inclusive learning opportunities through AI and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). She is also a sessional academic teaching in inclusive education at Griffith University, and a teacher of research methods at the University of Queensland (UQ). Elizabeth provides professional development workshops on accessibility, inclusion, and UDL. She is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Social Science Research, UQ. Her research interests lie in inclusive education at a national and international level, as well as equity, achievement, and wellbeing for students with disability and/or accessibility requirements. Her research is currently exploring academic stress in higher education, and how this can be reduced in inclusive and accessible ways through a UDL lens. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an invited member of CAST’s National Faculty.
Tanya Allan
As a Teaching & Learning Specialist in the Academic Development directorate at TAFE SA, Tanya Allan (she/her) is responsible for providing expert advice and leadership to education workgroups across the institute. With the Technology Enhanced Learning portfolio, Tanya engages with education staff in understanding and applying proven practices in delivering training and assessment using technology that positively impacts students enrolled at TAFE SA. Having been an educator for over 15 years, Tanya loves connecting with other passionate educators and fostering opportunities for UDL collaboration.
Trina Bianchini
Trina Bianchini (she/her) is employed at TAFE SA as a Teaching and Learning Specialist with a special portfolio of Accessibility and Inclusive Education. Trina provides leadership to teaching programs through quality and innovation to deliver positive student experiences and successful outcomes. Trina is a passionate advocate of Universal Design for Learning as it drives principles of accessibility, usability and quality learning design addressing digital content and effective facilitation methods. Trina co-facilitates the ADCET UDL in Tertiary Education Community of Practice with members from across Australia/New Zealand.
John Fardoulis
John J Fardoulis BCom (UWS) DipCompProgTech (CDI) MACS Snr CP IP3P (he/him) makes significant contributions to promoting inclusive education and championing the rights of learners and staff with disability at TAFE NSW. As the Lead Universal Designer in the Inclusive Design team, John researches and analyses new approaches to universal design and provides recommendations to influence the accessibility, UDL, and usability of the teaching, learning, and assessment products. As an accessibility ambassador across all departments in the NSW government, John helps develop digital accessibility expertise, shares knowledge and works to improve accessibility across all services. John is a member of the UDL in Tertiary Education Community of Practice.
Naomi McGrath
Naomi McGrath (she/her) is a Project Manager, Inclusive Design within the Product & Quality Group at TAFE NSW. Naomi collaborates with stakeholders to embed inclusivity as an integral part of the TAFE NSW Educational Quality Framework by outlining the obligations and considerations for all staff when developing and delivering learning and assessment resources. Naomi supports inclusive education at TAFE NSW by building awareness and capability and supporting staff to ensure products and services are accessible and inclusive to everyone. Naomi leads a team of specialists in accessibility, universal design for learning, language literacy and numeracy, and access technologies. The team supports staff by building awareness, providing support, testing, and reporting on technology and undertaking strategic projects to help promote and embed inclusion at TAFE NSW.
Michele McKell BA Eastern Michigan University, GradDipEd(Sec) University of Canberra, MBA Johns Hopkins University
Michele McKell is a Senior Educator at Canberra Institute of Technology and supports educator capability by inciting curiosity in how we learn and inspiring creativity in the ways we teach. She is passionate about supporting educators through sharing evidence-based practices and research and identifying practical strategies to ensure inclusive and engaging learning in the classroom. She is currently completing her last research project, a systematic literature review on efficacy of UDL in higher education and the role technology has for enabling inclusive education, for her Master of Education (Digital Technologies for Learning).
