Proudly sponsored by the Apprenticeship Support Australia
Born and raised in Adelaide’s western suburbs, Dee Slade began her hospitality journey straight after high school to fulfil her flight attendant dream.
With waitress and kitchen-hand roles behind her, Dee’s confidence grew and with support from experienced mentors, she excelled in the industry. Through their belief and her enthusiasm for learning, Dee gained skills on-the-job that, together with her 20 years’ experience in VET, led her to become the Business Development and Training Manager at Complete Hospitality Training Skills.
The ‘Beginarista’ purpose-built coffee trailer Dee created for portable barista training in schools demonstrates Dee’s drive and motivation to train our future workforce, providing learners with technical skills, knowledge, confidence, a sense of purpose, and the feeling of achievement.
Like her mentors before her, Dee aims to be a VET role model and leader, championing our young people and delivering meaningful learning outcomes, such as work placement opportunities using ‘Beginarista’.
Vocational education and training has given Greg Watkins, a trade-qualified chef, the opportunity to travel and work internationally; after almost 25 years in the trade he is excited to be giving back to others embarking on a similar journey.
With a Diploma of Leadership and Management and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Greg’s role as South Australian Cookery Training Manager takes him to local and interstate campuses, and the Philippines.
Fond memories of the inspiration and drive of his senior lecturer in trade school motivates Greg to give his all to his teaching.
Greg believes that training delivered by a quality provider in a vocational setting allows people from all walks of life to achieve their goals in a flexible way at a pace that suits them. He is proud to be part of a system that enables people to improve themselves while accommodating their individual needs.
After graduating as a dental hygienist from TAFE SA in 1993, Kelly Clemente’s VET teaching career began in 1996 as a part-time lecturer’s assistant in the TAFE SA Faculty of Dental Studies, in the then Diploma of Dental Hygiene.
Kelly has since achieved a Bachelor of Adult and Vocational Education plus a Graduate Certificate in Health Promotion, and commenced a Master of Clinical Education.
A student-focused teacher, she is currently a full-time senior lecturer, first-year program coordinator and curriculum writer for the Advanced Diploma of Oral Health (Dental Hygiene) at TAFE SA, and a member of the Australian Dental Council’s Accreditation Committee and the South Australian Oral Health Plan Monitoring Group.
Kelly has worked on Interprofessional Learning Days, a pilot program with Kanggawodli hostel to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to access government dental services, and an exchange program between TAFE SA dental team and Savonia University in Finland.
As a dynamic VET leader and educator, Vito Russo’s purpose is to bridge the skills gap in the building and construction industry by sharing the skills and knowledge that have shaped him.
A Certificate I in General Construction at 15 and then a Certificate II in Construction Pathways, led Vito to a Housing Industry Association apprenticeship through the Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC).
Vito’s move into the VET sector as a trainer stemmed from his positive experience as an apprentice. His drive and commitment to VET has positioned him as ATEC’s Head of Building and Construction; he is also a member of the Born to Build working group, a joint initiative between the South Australian Government and Master Builders SA.
Vito’s enthusiasm for VET and commitment to raising awareness of its importance are evident in his work and efforts to inspire and empower others to pursue rewarding construction careers.
The winner will receive $1,000 to be used towards their training and development.