Heather Gardner

Heather has been in the building & civil construction industry for over 30 years which means she is super passionate about everything within it.  Most of all, her authentic, no bullshit, practical outcome driven result for our clients.  After many years frustrated as the quality of VET Sector training, and true to her commitment of people improvement – she decided that training needed to be better (way better!), so she bought a business.  With a steadfast commitment to inspiring leadership, knowledge and getting shit done, she works everyday on our purpose of Enriching Lives through Education. She is 100% dedicated to finding new and better ways for our clients and for FTA to stand out, and be the best version of themselves, in their skills and experience.

Heather inspires us to think differently to create the best experience for everyone.  She is forever asking ‘can we do that better – what is the impact on our clients’ and she certainly doesn’t back down from challenging the status quo.  She loves seeing our clients become qualified, and knows that through the skills development which FTA provides, we change the life of families.

Otherwise: When it comes to down time, she loves getting out of the city nearly most weekends, getting grounded in nature and into the simple things in life at her farm.  Spending time with family and grandkids (and the cows, who are technically family too!) and climbing the odd mountain here and there keeps her motivation high.  Oh! Not to mention she keeps us supplied in farm grown avocado’s and the best honey you could eat!

Margie Bradbury

Hands-on, solutions focused Management Professional with a career demonstrating visionary leadership, expertise and outstanding performance in business development, client relationships and service delivery.  Acknowledged throughout career for employing clear ideas, standards and integrity to the mix of leadership and decision-making; consistently wins the support of internal and external stakeholders through honesty, trust and persuasive communication.  Outstanding problem-solving abilities and a keen client need assessment aptitude.  Energetic promoter of new ideas and initiatives, and inspired by finding innovative ways and effective methods to deliver business goals and performance targets.

I have worked in the apprenticeship and training space for almost 20 years.  I love it!  I am passionate about all aspect of the sector and am keen to ensure that all who ‘work and play’ in the sector have a positive experience.

The skills, knowledge and experience that one gains through education provides security and empowerment.

For employers, my ability to assist with the future planning and skills needs for their business, through Skill Assessment and Training Analysis, provides a platform for relationship and influence.

Qualifications

• Masters of Business Administration
• Justice of the Peace
• Diploma in HR
• Diploma in Management
• Diploma in Frontline Management
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

“Everyday is a New Day”!

Grant Rangi

Grant is our Mega Rock Star Trainer.  He embodies our belief of lifelong learning with a massive 18meg file for his qualifications and that’s compressed!

Grant is an industry expert who shares his knowledge, wisdom, and experiences readily and freely with not only his students but with management on sites.   He is our go-to expert in everything about the VET sector.

Otherwise: In his downtime he enjoys time with his huge family and friends.

Salvatore Contarino

My passion is grounded in a robust mission to make a difference. The culture and mission of FTA provides me the privilege to engage with individuals to seek and deliver ideal outcomes for their career advancement.

My “WHY” reflects a deep desire and determination to impact lives in the most positive way possible. To know that I can influence someone’s life and see them progress and benefit from my advice and support, is the most satisfying achievement I can ask for.

This is the heart and soul of who I am that fuels my motivation. Working with learners at our Success Connect Program, helping them find employment, and enriching their lives as a result, is a totally rewarding experience. I look forward to helping many more people embark on a journey with FTA, to enhance their lives for the better.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Queensland Certificate of Education
• Certificate I in Information, Digital Media and Technology (ICA10111)
• Certificate II in Tourism (SIT20112)

“ Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X

Roger Millroy

To empower and educate people everywhere so that they can improve their lives and achieve their goals.” Is my why! Achieved through my personal ethics for honesty,
humility, compassion, motivation and vision

I am an experienced leader in vocational training with over 22 years’ experience in RTO customer service & compliance management My experience being gained through
developing and implementing customised skills solutions for employers, leading and upskilling training teams to provide quality service, ‘rutting edge’ skills and embracing
Australian Apprenticeships, Group Training, and quality systems aligning to the Standards for RTO’s.

Being passionate about student education for me starts with directing & supporting trainer/ assessor personal drivers for great service and skills development to be able to upskill student behaviours to effectively meet new and emerging skills requirements for industry.  “I see my teams’ success in achieving their goals and engaging in their jobs passionately and productively as my personal success.

However, we never stop learning and growing!

Chloe Contarino

Starting my administration career as a medical receptionist, I found myself wanting to make a bigger impact on people’s lives. I struggled to find an industry best suited for me, but I soon found myself here! FTA has supported me in starting my own Cert lll in Business Admin – this is how I KNOW they are the absolute best in the biz!

It’s been both a professional and a personal goal of mine to make everyone’s day great and to help people as best as I can, and knowing that FTA has those same values, I knew this was the best place to be.

Qualifications

• Queensland Certificate of Education
• Cert l Information, Digital Media and Technology
• Cert lll Beauty Services

The more that you read, the more things you will know, the more that you learn, the more places you’ll go. – Dr. Seuss

Derek Kimble

Derek has over 25 years in the building and construction industry with an additional 15 years of training and assessment in the VET sectors. Derek has extensive experience in recruitment, training and employment of apprentices for private and non-profit RTOs.  Derek is passionate about people and their development, and understands that the right assistance at various stages throughout a working career pays dividends.  Derek is our QBCC knowledge expert and assists and guides people through their understanding to achieve the goals that they require.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Diploma of Management (BSB51107)
• Certificate IV Occupational Health and Safety (BSB41407)
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE40110)
• Diploma of Training, Design & Development (TAE50216)
• Builder – Low Rise QBCC
• Certificate III – Carpentry (CPC303028)
• Certificate III – Fibrous Plastering and Solid Plastering

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever” – Mahatma Gandhi

Kayla Weathers

With 10 years Civil Construction experience under her belt and 5 years in training and assessment in the VET sectors Kayla is the industry expert that you want as your go to professional for all things training.

Kayla values her clients, and understands that at times, the training and VET sector can be confusing – so she gives 100% effort into making sure her clients know and understand what is the most suitable career pathway for them and is always going exceeding expectations to achieve the best outcome.  Nothing is too difficult, she is a solution focused person, who’s passion is everything about achieving the end goal.

Kayla will tell you herself,  she is not here to piss in your pocket and has the ability to encourage and influence individuals at all levels through honesty, and analytical thinking.  When you are passionate about the industry that you are in, the clients that you serve and the values that you hold high – everything is achievable!

Danielle Leslie

I am passionate about the story telling of a brand and how it can impact lives. A background in Marketing and the Creative Arts, my focus is delivering end to end creative solutions for a brand, utilizing creative expression balanced with supported data. Leading and partnering with inspiring teams, I believe in hosting an inspiring, safe work space that encourages boldness & entrepreneurial spirit.

‘Your life is an occasion, rise to it’ – Mr Magoriums wonder emporium

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of New Media Arts

Daniell Goodin

I stumbled on the field of training and talent development by “happenstance” while working towards gaining currency for my next working adventure in life. Sometimes I truly think I have been blessed in the pathways that have opened before me as a lot I’ve been involved within my 30-year career has been related to developing people to bring out the best in themselves and others. Whether as a 19-year-old leading hand tradesperson, a startup team player in the US, self-employed international business developer, middle and senior manager, or leadership and management trainer across different cultures, I’ve worked to help people improve their workplace and communication skills. Thus the ripple effect of working with and encouraging next-generation leaders in key positions across different industries means I can make the biggest positive impact on performance and well-being for them, the staff they may manage and their organisation.

I’m committed to my own lifelong learning and to the learning and development of others. For me, leaders are learners and leadership development that creates sustainable results involves helping people squeeze the most learning from their real-world developmental experiences.

Adam Maller

I have been working in construction for 31 years, supervising and manually working across multiple trades. I was taught the old-fashioned way but embraced everything new. For a period of 15 years over 50% of work for my business was rectifi cation work for the QBCC and this opened my eyes to the lack of training, knowledge and workmanship throughout the industry.

Seeing my apprentices after they had previously been put through poor training and theory led me wanting to pass on my knowledge to others. I have trained and coached sporting teams for over 10 years and using that with my studies of training and assesment and my vast experience in the building trades means I can delive excellent teaching to students.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31211)
• Certificate III in Construction Waterproofing (CPC31411)
• Certificate III in Capentary (CPC30211)
• Certificate III in Concreting (CPC30313)
• Certiticate III in Wall and Ceiling Lining ( CPC31211)
• Certificate IV in Building and Construction (CPC40110)
• Work Safety at Heights (RIIWHS205D)
• Business Management for Construction Industry (7466)
• Certificate IV in Training and Assesment (TAE40116)

“Do something today that your future self will be thankful for.”

Geoff Chant

James Makka

I started my carpentry apprenticeship in New Zealand and came to Sydney, Australia, once I had completed it. I worked mainly in the residential building area doing new homes and renovations. I sub – contracted to builders, owner builders and owners doing wall & roof framing, fixouts and general carpentry work. Once I obtained my NSW builders license in 1995 I specialised in renovations, extensions & additions. Arriving in Qld in 2003 I built a house on the Gold Coast and have lived and worked there since.

Training & Assessing was a step I took to pass on my knowledge I had acquired to pass on to future construction workers. I enjoy interacting with students and try to help them achieve their construction gaols by understanding their needs and teaching them the relevant skills to do so.

We don’t own the knowledge we have gained and are only conduits for it to be passed on, for further improvement

Bob Ziebell

Bob has been in the construction business for over 35 years, he owns his own construction company which he started once achieving his first certificate. He has since then had a variety of roles within the conduction industry, seeing first-hand the gaps in proper training and factual guidance which fueled his ambition to become an assessor. He has now been a trainer assessor for over 6 years and believes to keep current you must live the part not act it!

“Do it once, do it tight, prove the student can do it.”

Tanika Berlowitz

John Scott

George Frilingos

Craig Stuart

Justin Doyle

Justin has gained a wealth of experience having worked for more than 25 years’ in the landscape, civil and training industries both in Australia and overseas.

Peter Cottrell

I am a qualified and very experienced Parks and Gardens Tradesperson, Horticulturalist and Landscaper with a passion for Australian native plants, in particular Australian native edible plants, their propagation, production, growth, maintenance and integration into sustainable landscapes.

I have a passion for imparting my knowledge to others for use in their betterment, and the betterment of the Australian urban, regional and commercial environments.

I have worked across the entirety of the Parks and Gardens, horticulture and Landscaping industry, and I have operated my own native plant nursery, my own general wholesale nursery, a landscape installation and maintenance business, and have been a qualified and functioning Trainer/Assessor for over 10 years.

Qualifications

• Diploma of horticulture
• Cert 3 in Horticulture
• Cert 3 in Rural Operations
• Cert 3 in Park and Gardens
• Cert III in Landscape Construction
• Cert 4 in Small Business Management
• Chemical Spray License

Kevin Tracy

My passion for training stems from, I believe, my own desire to learn.  Learning becomes more helpful informative, and inspirational when there is a hands-on component and the mutual respect for all participating to be willing to learn from each other. In other words, learning is forever and being able to share what I know is my way of helping people now, to be better equipped for their beekeeping journey.

I am an Apiarist (Beekeeper) which is a dynamic career. My focus has been in breeding Queen bees and training others. This has given me opportunities for travel, working and learning with great mentors from around the world, who helped me immensely and still do! Enjoy help

It is my privilege to have an occupation that helps people to know and follow best practices in beekeeping.

“For me, the point to learning is to gain as much as I can, to share with others who might benefit from my Training skill set. Put simply – I enjoy helping.”

Qualifications

• I am an Apiarist and Melliponist and have worked in Commercial apiaries for honey production, queen breeding/production.
• I have a Certificate 3 in Beekeeping.
• Cert4 TAE.

Brett Adair

I’ve been working in the Civil, Mining, Construction, Transport and Logistics Industries for over 15 years now. I have developed a vast range of skills and experience from studying and working hands-on in all sectors. I’ve developed a passion to train people after years of studying myself and now want to pass on my skills and knowledge to future students, teaching runs in my family. I believe I can reach out to students in all aspects of training, which makes me an all-rounder trainer when it comes to teaching and helps the students to pass their qualifications. This is why I’m the right trainer and assessor to cover all your student’s training needs.

I’ve been training and assessing over the last few years. I can honestly say I love the process and responsibility of helping and watching students evolve when training under my supervision. I’m an energetic person by nature, which energises the students. I take the time and put in the effort to see all students pass with the skills they need to be better at their job.

“It doesn’t matter what your background is and where you are from, if you have dream and goals that’s all that matters. Train with me and let’s make this happen!”

QUALIFICATIONS

• TAE40116 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• RII30815 Certificate III in Civil Construction (Plant Operations)
• RII40715 Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
• RII30115 Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations
• BSB41419 Certificate IV in Workplace Health and Safety