General News
9 March, 2022
Wimmera trade teacher recognised
Wimmera Federation TAFE’s teacher Iaian Fricker is the National Electrical Contractors Association Trade Teacher of the Year.
WIMMERA Federation TAFE’s electrotechnology teacher Iaian Fricker is the National Electrical Contractors Association Trade Teacher of the Year.
Mr Fricker began teaching at Federation TAFE Wimmera campus in 2013 after working in the Australian Defence Force for just over 20 years.
Mr Fricker was nominated for his commitment to remaining current in his trade, forming deep relationships with local industry, providing bespoke training as required, and his involvement in the World Skills Regional Events with his students professional to National Competition level.
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Mr Fricker said he was “chuffed” and “proud” to have received the award.
“It does justify my efforts,” he said.
“It meant a lot to my family as I have been working weekends.
“It proves that we can be successful here, there is the demand and the ability to do it.”
Mr Fricker said the award was recognition for the students and employers he had worked with for nearly 10 years.
“They all back me and without them, we wouldn’t have a program,” he said.
“When I first started we had one class where I needed a certain amount of students to be able to run it.
“We had years one to four, teaching multiple subjects at one so it turned into a class of one on one learning.”
Mr Fricker said students were self-paced in their learning.
“It was an adult learning environment and students were treated as an apprentice would be on-site,” he said.
“It's a lot of peer learning that I manage and fill the gaps for students; it was very flexible.”
NECA Trade Teacher of the Year judges said he was a dedicated electrical trade teacher who demonstrates a passion for the trade.
“He has worked tirelessly over the last decade in developing and delivering an education program that fits the needs of regional students, local high school students, and local businesses,” they said.
It was the 15th year of the Trade Teacher awards which recognised and rewarded passionate and successful trade teachers for their commitment to developing talent within the electrical industry.
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Federation University Vocational Education and Training Pro-Vice-Chancellor and TAFE chief executive officer TAFE Liam Sloan said the award was a credit to Mr Fricker’s dedication to his students.
“He consistently goes above and beyond to enrich the learning experience for his classes as well as guiding them to employment,” he said.
Mr Fricker said he began the program with 10 apprentices.
“I now have 16 VETiS students and 56 electrical apprentices which works out to be three classes,” he said.
“I have very strong two-way communication with the employers and being a contractor before myself I understand the needs in a workplace so I help them know what the apprentice is up to and where experience is needed.
“They want their apprentices trained locally, so we train Wimmera students who then get jobs in the Wimmera.”
Mr Fricker said the employers and students made the program what it was and have supported him.
“I enjoy seeing young men and women training and getting jobs in the Wimmera,” he said.