The MTA Institute is the largest private provider of automotive apprenticeships in Queensland, delivering one-on-one, in-the-workshop training to more than 2400 students across the state.
With trainers working semi-independently across Queensland, the MTA Institute works to bring them together at trainer conferences to discuss their experiences, attend professional development workshops, and be brought up to speed on the latest developments in the vocational education space.
While this has, traditionally, been a conference held once annually and toward the end of the year, for 2022 the Institute held two such gatherings, including a professional development conference in July which tackled such topics as the AURETH101 BEV depowering and reinitialising of battery-electric vehicles training unit, and workshop sessions focused on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), as well as presentations on electric motorcycles and a research trip to the Queensland facility of outdoor power equipment maker, Toro.
At the beginning of December, the Institute held a second, less intensive conference at MTA Queensland’s Brisbane head office with a number of trainers from remote and regional areas using digital technology to ‘dial-in’ and attend relevant sessions remotely.
Those sessions included presentations on training delivery, digital delivery,
VET emerging industry projects, development of the automotive training sector, IT and digital security, and advice on how to get the best photographs from a smartphone – a necessity in this age of digital living and working.
“The aim of these meetings is to bring the staff together to discuss where we’ve been but also to set out targets going forward,” said Paul Kulpa, General Manager of the MTA Institute.
“We’ve successfully delivered quality training to over 2400 apprentices, completed an AUR transition, deployed new IT systems to support student and trainer efficiencies, worked to negotiate COVID, managed a significant amount of trainer changes and digital challenges, and increased our trainer professional development sessions.But, as always, we want to continually improve, and the digital photography session, for example, is there to support our trainers better understand their work tools – iPads and iPhones – while the IT security session is there to ensure we are all aware of the requirements to look after our stakeholders’ information.”
Mr Kulpa added that holding two trainer conferences through the year had allowed for better coverage of topics that arise in an industry that is changing fast.
“One meeting was never going to be enough time to cover all the topics we want to touch on, so we have an Industry Trainer Meeting in July, which mainly focuses on technical professional development and is where we see all the new tech washing through the industry and hear directly from industry experts on those topics; and this meeting in December – the VET Trainers Meeting – where we focus on training delivery and get a chance to validate our assessment tools and review our administration practices.
“Both are equally important and we also get a chance to get together more regularly, which is always good.”
TRAINER OF THE YEAR 2022
Trainer of the Year Roger West with MTA Group CEO Rod Camm
At the end-of-year conference, the MTA Institute announces the recipient of the Trainer of the Year award, and this year the award was presented to Roger West, who delivers light vehicle, auto-electrical, and parts interpreting training across north Brisbane.
Roger has been working in the industry for nearly 50 years, starting as an apprentice in the era of the XY Falcon and enjoying a treat as a youngster that most of us would relish now – he carried out pre-deliveries and road tests of the XY GTHO!
After completing his trade, Roger would go on to become leading hand, workshop foreman and service manager, eventually reaching a point where he was also delivering in-house training for other technicians and apprentices. Realising that being a trainer was something he really enjoyed, Roger joined the MTA Institute in 2005. 17 years on, and the work is clearly something Roger still loves to do.
“I’ve never really worked for the MTA Institute because I am doing something that I really enjoy. I just happen to be paid for it too!” he said with a smile.
Being presented with the Trainer of the Year award was, said Roger, a terrific honour and one that, given the calibre of his fellow trainers, he was surprised to receive.
“I nearly fell off my chair. I was shell-shocked,” he said of the moment his name was called out. “It’s a great achievement. I have seen others receive it over the years, people I respect. It’s a great moment.”
The award recognises Roger’s dedicated and excellent service to the hundreds of students he has trained over the years.
“Roger has been a long-time high performer who consistently hits the mark with his quality, customer service and work ethic,” said Mr Kulpa.
“He’s always willing to provide constructive feedback and support new ideas. He’s a trainer who is reliable and dependable and there are not too many automotive businesses in north Brisbane who wouldn’t know about him.”
2022 Staff Awards
As well as Trainer of the Year, other awards wer presented to MTA Queensland staff who had performed sterling service to the Association and members throuhgout the year.
- Client Services Officer Judy Margison received the Individual Contribution award
- Sonja Reeves, an administration assistant with Member Services, was presented with the Service Excellence Award
- Technical adviser and trainer Russell Sticklen received a Commendation Award; and
- Technical trainer Steve Adams received a Trainer Commendation Certificate for his brilliant work throughout 2022.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (December 2022/January 2023)
21 December 2022
