This award recognises innovation and excellence by a trainer or teacher providing nationally recognised training to learners at a registered training organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO.
Meet the finalists in the VET Teacher/Trainer the Year category for the 2026 South Australian Training Awards – what an exceptional group of individuals!
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Geoffrey Turner is a leader in electrical safety training, bringing more than four decades of industry and education experience into vocational learning.
Over his pathway from apprentice to degree-qualified international expert, he has built a career focused on aligning technical expertise with high-consequence safety outcomes.
His training spans Australia and international settings, including work with major organisations and research facilities, where he delivers advanced electrical and high-voltage safety training.
Geoffrey is recognised for his ability to bridge the gap between complex engineering standards and practical workplace competency through innovative e-learning tools and data-driven training methods.
His contribution to the national and international VET system is defined by a commitment to sharing best practices and displaying leadership that transcends traditional classroom boundaries.
Through his leadership and global perspective, Geoffrey is helping build a highly skilled, safety-focused workforce prepared for the demands of modern industry.
Starting her career as a stockperson and as a vocational graduate herself, Maisa Lacasandile brings experience and credibility to her role as a trainer and assessor.
An exceptional trainer, Maisa delivers hands-on, workplace-based training in the pork production industry – building skilled and confident agricultural workers.
Maisa has played a key role in boosting workforce capability by developing staff training for SunPork’s patented Maternity Ring system – a birthing and nursing pen for sows and a major animal welfare innovation.
Recognising the needs of SunPork’s culturally diverse workforce and drawing on her own experiences, Maisa developed a bespoke industry glossary to support trainees who are English language learners, improving communication and training outcomes.
Through personalised, on-site coaching and strong industry collaboration, Maisa ensures training is practical, relevant and immediately applied.
Her work is improving workforce capability, supporting innovation and contributing to a more sustainable and welfare-focused agricultural industry.
Tony O’Rielly is a dedicated horticulture trainer committed to creating accessible, practical training pathways for learners from diverse and often disadvantaged backgrounds.
With more than 20 years’ experience, he specialises in supporting learners who may otherwise disengage from formal education to build confidence, skills and meaningful employment outcomes.
Tony's leadership has driven the development of Ironwood Institute’s successful Offenders Aid Rehabilitation Service (OARS) project and other scaffolded training models that prioritise early success through skill sets and hands-on learning.
His work includes leading rehabilitation and reintegration programs, supporting First Nations communities and delivering training that connects directly to real-world horticulture and environmental projects.
Tony’s learner-centred approach embeds language, literacy and numeracy support into practical activities, ensuring training remains inclusive while maintaining high standards.
Through his patience, cultural awareness and commitment to accessibility, Tony is transforming lives and strengthening workforce pathways in South Australia’s greenlife industries.
Dedicated to building a skilled and confident workforce across regional South Australia, Vicki Cooper is a passionate early childhood education trainer.
Delivering training across the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North, she ensures diverse learners have access to high-quality, face-to-face vocational education, contextualised and aligned with current industry practices.
Her standout contribution is a high-contact delivery model that combines regular site visits to services with flexible online support, overcoming geographic barriers and strengthening engagement for regional learners.
Vicki’s learner-centred approach focuses on building confidence, supporting diverse needs and embedding real-world practice. She works closely with early childhood education and care employers to align training with workplace expectations, ensuring graduates are job-ready.
Through strong industry partnerships and mentoring of new trainers, Vicki is expanding access to vocational pathways and supporting the development of a resilient early childhood workforce in regional communities.