VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

2024 South Australian Training Awards VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

Employer: Complete Hospitality Training Skills

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’.