Star Rating Scheme

The Star Rating Scheme is administered by The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence and recognises excellence in trade and skills training among TAFE and private Registered Training Organisations.

Pam Christy – TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute Director stresses the importance of the independent, industry conferred Star Rating Scheme

“At TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute we are proud to have been assessed as providing top quality training at our colleges.

The star rating scheme is public recognition for the excellent links that we have with industry, the calibre of our teachers and our facilities.

Most importantly this industry rating helps potential students find out which training providers are specialist centres in their field of interest”.


The Star Rating Scheme identifies the very best training providers, industry by industry, to enable employers, career counselors, potential students, and parents to distinguish excellence in trade training by evaluating training providers.

Industry areas within Registered Training Organisations which apply receive either a: One Gold Star; Two Gold Star; or Three Gold Star Rating to indicate that they have achieved excellent results for their students.

The Star Rating Scheme focuses on the following eight areas of skill shortage:
- Automotive
- Building & Construction
- Electrical
- Hospitality & Personal Services
- Manufacturing
- Metals & Engineering
- Mineral Resources
- Rural & Farming

Evaluations are carried out against three broad criteria that were developed in partnership with the industry.

The evaluation process includes an initial self evaluation by the relevant faculty or school, followed by a site visit to schools or faculties who demonstrate potential to achieve a One Gold Star, Two Gold Star or Three Gold Star rating.

Brian Wexham, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence said that The Star Rating Scheme reassures students that they are selecting the most appropriate course.

“One of the biggest concerns when choosing a training organisation to attend is whether or not it will get people the job they want when they complete the course. Thanks to The Star Ratings Scheme, prospective students and employers now have a credible source to help them with their decision.

“The Scheme aims to recognise high performing registered training providers and help individual schools and faculties understand exactly what their clients want from their training.

“The Star Rating Scheme is an industry driven initiative and has been developed by The Institute and industry to provide a platform that will deliver the vocational training outcomes required to meet industry needs” said Mr Wexham.

Rick Duynhoven of Randwick College sees the scheme as a benchmarking tool and one which inspires reflection.

“The star rating scheme is an excellent opportunity for teaching sections to reflect on their current teaching practices and relationships with industry. Whilst the teaching section have all the best intentions to provide the best teaching and educational service to students and industry, the Star Rating scheme provides position feedback against the benchmarks required by the industry which is the customer.

For a complete list of courses which have received a Star Rating go to the following site: www.skillsone.com.au/Article/60/5/Star-Rating-Scheme/

2008 Trades and Skills Winner Announced

Northern Territory Delivering Teaching Excellence

Brian Heim is announced the 2008 Australian

Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year

Friday, 21^st November 2008 ‐Dr. Brian Heim, a resident of Katherine NT, was named the National Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year at the Australian Training Awards Gala Dinner which took place last night at the Darwin Convention Centre.

Dr Heim competed against fourteen winners from eight industry categories to take out the title of National Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year 2008. The Awards were presented by Deputy Prime Minister The Hon Julia Gillard MP.

Dr. Heim works as the NT Manager of Primary Industries & Community Services with Charles Darwin University. He tackled the shortage of VETs in an unique way. He leads a team of teaching professionals and provides hands-on involvement by skilling cattle producers in testing animals for pregnancy prior to live export.

He was interviewed along with three other candidates at The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year event on the 31st October. At this event he was awarded the Agriculture Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award.

Aaron Devine, Director of Vocational Education Training (VET) at CDU understands clearly the reason why Dr. Heim was recognized.

“Brian’s fulfils all the qualities we look for at CDU in our trainers and leaders: hard working, industry respected, and resilient. This award is a credit to his commitment to his industry and the indigenous communities in which he works”.

Dr. Heim is a firm believer in the importance of these awards. “I believe that there are many VET teachers out there who are also deserving of recognition and thank the Institute for identifying and providing a pathway for teachers in a wide variety of trades and skills areas to demonstrate just how good they really are”.

“Winning the overall 2008 Australian Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year award on top of the Trade Teacher Award for Agriculture is a huge honour for me”.

Mr Brian Wexham, Chief Executive Officer of The Institute emphatically reiterates the importance of regognising Australia’ s trades and skills teachers and explains the concept behind the awards.

“This award acknowledges leadership in developing tomorrow’s trades and skills professionals. It was established to give deserving teachers like Brian Heim in the trades and skills arena the opportunity to implement professional developmental projects, that otherwise would not have been possible without funding.

“The awards also demonstrate a commitment to excellence providing quality outcomes for industry and importantly, the students”.

Mr Duncan Fraser of the NFF says the Award, which pits winners from eight industry categories against each other – including Automotive; Manufacturing; Building and Construction; Metals and Engineering; Electrical; Mineral Resources; Hospitality, Tourism and Services; and Rural and Farming – is important recognition for agriculture teachers.

“We know the vital and growing role skills-based education and training plays in modern farming’s ability to be competitive and sustainable,” he said. “The farm sector is screaming out for not only more employees, but a higher skilled and more qualified workforce than at any time in our history”.

“We congratulate Dr Heim, for his excellent work in not just leading a team of teaching professionals, but for his hands-on involvement in skilling cattle producers”.

Brian Wexham further states that the Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award recognises teachers who dedicate their lives to ensuring tomorrow’s trades and skills people are armed with the very best skills through their innovative teaching methods.

“The Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award derives its success from identifying teachers who are able to move beyond delivering only to curriculum and who meet industry standards to ensure Australia continues to turn out the most highly skilled men and women,” said Mr Wexham.

Please go to www.skillsone.com.au for further information on the Trades and Skills Teacher of the Year Award winners.