2011 NECA Trade Teacher Awards

About the Awards

NECA’s Trade Teacher Award is intended to recognise the outstanding contribution made by trade teachers in continuously raising the standard of education and training in our industry.

NECA directly employs thousands of apprentices through its group training schemes and represents the employers of tens of thousands of electricians throughout Australia. As such, NECA has a large interest in not only the quality of training but also the commitment and motivation of the teachers and mentors.

Applicants for the Trade Teacher Award are assessed in three key areas:

• Excellence in teaching
• Innovative practice
• Client satisfaction – both learners and employers.

To be eligible, applicants must be currently employed by either a public or private registered training organisation and teach technical subjects as part of the Electrical Trades course.

The successful applicant receives a prize of $5,000 made up of both cash and professional development allowance and it is announced in conjunction with NECA’s National Excellence Awards.  The prize is generously donated by the ElectroComms Foundation.

2011 Trade Teacher of the Year

In 2011, Mr Philip Redenbach from the Bathurst Campus of TAFE NSW was awarded the top prize, with the judges being incredibly impressed by his commitment to teaching, the electrical industry itself and each and every one of his students.

NECA’s Trade Teacher Award recognises the outstanding contribution made by trade teachers in continuously raising the standard of education and training in the electrotechnology industry. Applicants are assessed on their excellence in teaching, innovative practice and student satisfaction.

Throughout the nomination process, it was evident that Mr Redenbach displayed a clear passion for the industry, his students and also many of the electrical companies operating in western New South Wales. Mr Redenbach was instrumental in developing new methods of teaching to cater for the growing demand of electrical apprentices in the region while maintaining a focus on student development.

Mr David Cofield from Sunraysia Institute in Victoria was named as the runner-up in the 2011 Trade Teacher Awards.

NECA congratulated Mr Redenbach and Mr Cofield for their commitment and talent at the 2011 Apprentice of the Year function held in Melbourne in late November.

2010 Trade Teacher of the Year

Mr Rod Grondein from the College of Electrical Training in Western Australia was awarded the top prize, with the judges being incredibly impressed by his commitment to teaching, the electrical industry and each and every one of his students.

Mr Grondein says he is in the “people business” and while he is concerned about the lack of foundation knowledge in areas such as maths, he works with the apprentices to establish the foundations so that they can build on their existing knowledge.

He acknowledged that it is important to keep the employers of the apprentices happy, and that means not just helping them to pass, but also embracing flexible learning techniques and extra hours with the apprentices to make sure they all reach their full potential.

In one of the many glowing references for Mr Grondein, one student wrote,

“Rod has inspired me to take my education further so that I may become everything that I am capable of being”.

NECA is proud to have been able to acknowledge the achievements of Mr Grondein from the College of Electrical Group Training.

2009 Trade Teacher of the Year

Murray Dryburgh, an electrotechnology teacher at the TAFE NSW Riverina Institute, Leeton campus, took out the 2009 award as the best trade teacher in the country. His award includes professional development and a cash prize totalling $5,000.

Murray has been an electrical trade teacher in southern New South Wales for more than 18 years. He is highly regarded by his peers and former students as an inspirational teacher who goes out of his way to ensure his students exceed their own expectations and succeed in their studies and careers. Many of his students have won electrical trade awards and a number have established their own successful businesses in the industry. Murray has remained mentor and friend throughout their lives and many have sent their own apprentices to him as they know he provides the best training that is available. Students travel far and wide to participate in his courses and he has an enviable retention and completion record.

Mr Wes McKnight, NECA Victoria president and convener of the judging panel said, “Murray is clearly passionate about his students and his work. He has developed flexible training delivery systems that reach across a wide geographical area and have proven to be highly successful. The dedication he shows his students and the involvement he has in their training and careers is remarkable. He is a truly exceptional teacher and well deserving of this award.”

Further information

For further information, please email Vicky Rigler at NECA or telephone 02 9439 8523

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