VET Trainer/
Teacher of the Year
Supported by
NSW Skills Board
The NSW Skills Board warmly congratulates the exceptional finalists in the 2024 NSW Training Awards. Your dedication and hard work in your studies are impressive and we are very pleased to join with all attendees tonight in celebrating your achievements.
The NSW Skills Board provides strategic and industry-informed advice to the Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education and the NSW Government. Our focus lies in understanding and advising on the training and skills development needs of people, employers and industries across the state.
Board members bring a range of skills and a diversity of experience that spans industries including digital and technology, advanced manufacturing, financial services, construction and infrastructure, and disability support and health care. Members bring a depth of legal, governance, education and training, workforce development, management and business operations experience to the advice we deliver to the Minister.
In our work, we speak and consult with employers listening to their feedback and perspectives on education, training, skills and workforce development in NSW. We value the feedback we receive, as it helps us enhance the vocational education and training system to support building a skilled and adaptable workforce.
But we are always interested in the perspectives of learners in relation to their experiences in vocational education and training. Your achievements and journeys are essential to us, as they guide us in improving the learning experience and bolstering employment outcomes in NSW.
Once again, we congratulate all the finalists of this year's Awards and wish you a delightful evening ahead. Your accomplishments are a testament to the value of vocational education and training, and we are excited to witness the positive impact you will make in your respective fields.
Johanne Doherty
Field of study
Hospitality
Employed by
Public Schools NSW, Macquarie Park
Region
Central & Northern Sydney Region
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Johanne Doherty is a champion for vocational education. In her 30 years at St Ives High School, she has driven the evolution of VET and supported students and fellow educators to achieve their best.
Johanne specialises in Hospitality, Food Technology and Textiles since leading her first intake of Hospitality students in 1998.
Not only an asset to her school community, Johanne has been recognised as an expert in her field. The course and assessment material she’s developed to rigorous industry-current standards are seen as the benchmark and are shared with all teachers in the region. She also runs conferences as the Vice President of the Technology Educators Association and has received a Regional Director’s Recognition Award for Vocational Education and Training. But the power of Johanne’s ability as an educator is illuminated through the success of her students.
Her unwavering commitment to excellence and a strategic approach to outcomes has seen her students consistently thrive – many achieving band 5 and 6 in their VET courses.
Michael Pfeffer
Field of study
Hospitality
Employed by
Public Schools NSW, Wagga Wagga
Region
Illawarra & South East NSW Region
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Leveraging his previous career as a chef, Michael Pfeffer is dedicated to empowering budding hospitality stars in his charge.
Grounding his teaching style in practical application, Michael has managed to ignite his students’ passion for the industry – one that mirrors his own. His success as a Hospitality educator partly comes down to his comprehensive CV. He worked in fine-dining restaurants, cafés and hotels for 10 years before gaining a Bachelor of Education Technology and Applied Studies at university.
Described by his colleagues at Dapto High School as a beacon of positivity and encouragement, Michael’s ability to inspire can also be attributed to a passion for what he does. But it’s his readiness to prioritise real-world learning that sees Michael exceed expectations. He’s established a cafe in the school grounds for his students to learn in, led the NSW WorldSkills Commercial Cookery team in 2023 and incorporates excursions, industry speakers and interactive components to his teaching wherever possible.
Max Rabbett
Field of study
Business, Hospitality and Retail
Employed by
Sureway Skills Training Pty Ltd
Region
Western NSW Region
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Max Rabbett considers education a powerful tool for social change. Equipped with a wealth of experience managing departments of luxury hotels, Max brought his knowledge home to regional NSW to make a difference to his community.
Max’s expertise in Hospitality, Business and Retail is the foundation for his role as a trainer, but it’s his driving passion for education that really sets him apart.
Max frequently tailors and develops courses to ensure they are providing his learners with job-readiness skills, while also meeting the needs of their future employers. Max delights in the details in order to get the best results for all parties involved.
Currently managing a caseload of more than 200 learners while also completing his Diploma of Leadership and Management, Max’s dedication to his role is something to behold. Continuously refining, reconnecting with and reflecting on his passion and purpose, Max is changing lives as an educator.