Career Profiles

"I worked at Athelstone Quality Meats while I was at school, just serving customers and doing a bit of cleaning. I realised school wasn’t for me and my boss gave me the opportunity to learn more about the meat industry and take it further if I wanted.

After starting my training with TAFE SA, I really loved working as an apprentice butcher doing everything from cutting, serving the customers and value-adding with our products.

I will complete my apprenticeship in July and look forward to furthering my career as a butcher."

Corey Stone

Apprentice, Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher)

" "I teach Carpentry to secondary school students at Rosewater Trade Training Centre and I have taught in Port Pirie, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Ceduna.

Networks are important when looking for an apprenticeship. I started my carpentry apprenticeship through a football connection in 2006, and then went on to gain skills in first and second fix, steel frames, renovations, extensions, decks, pergolas, gyprock repairs and painting.

As a teacher it’s good to have a range of skills across many areas of construction. I enjoy seeing how students’ progress through their training, watching their tool-based skills build and their confidence grow each week. It can be a challenge, but is also very rewarding.”

Luke Button

TAFE SA Carpentry Lecturer, Certificate II and III in Carpentry

"I’m currently a dental nurse for a periodontist (specialist dentist), which involves assisting the dentist and caring for patients. The Certificate IV in Dental Assisting teaches you how to take dental x-rays, so now I can take x-rays to help the dentist and make the service much more efficient for patients.”

Victoria Butler

Graduate, Certificate III and IV in Dental Assisting

"I have been studying my Diploma of Electrical Engineering through TAFE SA part-time whilst working full-time in the Australian offshore oil and gas industry as an Electro-Technical Officer, Unlimited / Marine Engineer Officer - Watch-keeper Unlimited.

TAFE SA has provided the framework for me to advance my core skill-set, of Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, whilst allowing me to fulfil my work endeavours. It is important to me to ensure that I remain current within the rapidly-changing industry.

The electrotechnology industry is an exciting and dynamic space. Many new opportunities are opening up as South Australia moves further towards progressive energy harvesting and storage, electric vehicles, as well as a burgeoning defensive ship-building industry. As I further my studies, I hope to positively contribute to this industry’s growth within the state."

Ryan Skene

Student, Diploma of Electrical Engineering

I have highly enjoyed studying a Certificate III in Floristry at TAFE SA, they provided me with skills that I will use and need out in the industry and the lecturers are more than helpful! I love floristry because it lets you be creative and express yourself through your work.

Ashley Watson

Student, Certificate III in Floristry

"The Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design (CUA60315) can prepare and propel ambitious students into the fast paced and exciting world of Graphic Design, Australia wide and overseas.

Students build their skills and portfolio through imaginative and hands on projects, progressing to master industry standard applications and technology.

They are guided by highly skilled and friendly staff during their journey of learning. The course breaks away from the traditional classrooms and showcases a Design Hub environment that simulates contemporary studio practice.

I have been helping students realize their career dreams for over 10 years. It is truly rewarding to see students blossoming into professional designers.

I can recommend this course to anyone wanting to turn their creative passion into a career and not afraid to work for it."

Laura Peterson

Lecturer, Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design

"TAFE SA is helping me to get to where I want to be, by teaching me the skills I need while studying in a simulated business.

For example in the module Comply with Infection Prevention and Control Policies and Procedures, you're not just staring at the computer screen, you're given roleplay assessments where you have to physically show that you are able to comply with the policies and procedures. So you are protecting yourself as well as others from infection and cross contamination while taking the correct precautions. By running through the actions and performing them, it gives you a better understanding.

I hope that one day I will become a practice manager or perhaps go on to further develop my skills and become an Audiometrist."

Rhiannon O'Connor

Student, Certificate III in Health Administration

"As a native from Morocco I speak Arabic and French, and also basic German so I have a strong interest in language. When I arrived in Australia in 2013 – I was fascinated with learning the most popular language in the world, English.

I developed my English language skills through Certificate level courses offered by TAFE SA and discovered that my French vocabulary knowledge was very helpful to learn the English language.  Also at this time I started to develop interpreting skills between Arabic and English, and began communicating bilingually with my friends. This was when I realised that my knowledge and strength with languages and interpreting could be used for the benefit of the society.

I am now doing a Diploma of Interpreting at TAFE SA which aligns with my goals and skills to become an Interpreter. The course has formalised my language skills and taught me best practice methods. I believe that there is a significant demand for Interpreters, and I hope to one day work in a medical or community service field."

Ghizlane Jabrane

Student, Diploma of Interpreting

"Doing the Bachelor of Visual Arts and Design degree at TAFE SA's Adelaide College of the Arts has opened up a world of opportunities for me. I am a practicing artist and jeweller, exhibiting when time permits and working on commissions and jewellery repairs. On graduating I worked at AC Arts  at TAFE SA in the Jewellery Department as a studio assistant for three years. Working in such a creative space gave me connections and support in the arts.

My current job at Utopian Creations Jewellers in Ebeneezer Place, Adelaide, also started in my graduating year. This little gem of a job is basically the whole degree in practice. We do mostly custom work from ethically sourced stones and 100 per cent recycled metals. Everything was familiar to me when I started and I have improved on the skills taught to me in the degree. We make everything in store, unless people opt for our 3D design option. Working with precious stones and gold is exhilarating for me. There is also another visual arts graduate working here, Jo Beare and the new apprentice Abby will be starting her apprentice training at AC Arts Jewellery studio next year. I now work up to four days a week at Utopian Creations and it’s my happy place"

Genevieve de Jong

Student, Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

"Studying Certificate II in Animal Studies (ACM20110) at TAFE SA allows students the choice of flexible learning options which includes plenty of hands on exposure to animals in our purpose-built, on campus facilities. The Veterinary and Applied Science Centre boasts excellent training facilities and a simulated work environment. Our training allows our students to graduate with job-ready skills and go on to gain employment in a range of animal care workplaces and can include jobs such as kennel hand."

Danielle Russo

Course Coordinator, Certificate II in Animal Studies

"I am especially enjoying the fact that many of the units are practical for me to use now, even before I start work in a library.  For example the unit search library and information data bases has been useful to learn how to research topics I enjoy such as Australian native plants, tea-clipper ships and digital photography.

Learning how to provide multimedia support has been useful at home and the unit implement preventive conservation activities has helped me to appreciate the amount of work that goes into events such as the Colours of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musée d’Orsay exhibition at the Art Gallery of SA which I have seen recently.

I am currently working as an enrolled nurse but hope to change careers to become a librarian. I feel that there is room for growth and learning in this area. I love the research, being around books and media and helping people.

As a librarian you need to have good social skills as well as good technical skills. I have always loved visiting libraries and have found the staff to be really helpful. It was in a library that I first set up an e-mail account.

Libraries have many different activities so if it’s been awhile since you have visited your local library I would strongly recommend looking up their web site and paying them a visit."

Maria Vivian

Student, Certificate IV Library and Information Services

"The Millinery Association of Australia (MAA) is a not for profit organisation providing members with opportunities for friendship, collaboration, networking and education. Their aim is to showcase quality Millinery and raise the profile of Australian Millinery which is considered very highly in the world.

Each year the MAA organises the Design Award millinery competition with different themes, this years’ theme "Spring Racing" is close to my heart as I frequently go to SA Race meets wearing my own design hats.

To win in such a high standard level of the competition is hard as it's judged by professional milliners not just invited celebrities as happens at the Races. I'm beyond thrilled and excited to be the only SA member to get into top 10 and to have won the second place, I plan to keep making beautiful hats as they are my creative outlet. "

Oksana Caretti

Graduate, Certificate IV in Millinery

"Studying at TAFE SA has given me the skills and confidence I needed to start my own business doing something I love.

I gained more than just my certificate studying at TAFE SA, I gained confidence, work ethic and motivation to push for more in life. Doing these courses was the best decision I have made."

Alana Davis

Graduate, Certificate III in Nail Technology

"I had been working in the service for eight years as a casual worker whilst working in my main job as a bank teller at Westpac,” Anne says. “My TAFE Diploma formalised a lot of the on the job training I had gained whilst working in the service and has given me a better understanding of my new role and the expectations of me with the service and within the OSHC sector. I love working in OSHC. I work with a wonderful team of enthusiastic people who are all passionate about children’s wellbeing and learning. I have fabulous relationships with families, children and staff within a nurturing school community. Working in OSHC isn’t just a job, it’s about making a difference and being a difference in children’s lives."

Anne O'Connell

Graduate, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

"I started the Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology at TAFE SA when I left school and was looking for a job as a panel beater. My friend, who luckily manages a crash repairer, got in touch to say there was a panel beating apprenticeship position in his workplace and would I be interested in applying. Of course I applied and it just worked out from there. I now work at Goolwa Elite Collison Repairs. Being a panel beater is a trade that incorporates skills and discipline and involves many challenges and rewards."

Elias Tuuri

Graduate,  Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology

"The training delivered by TAFE SA provides students with the skill and knowledge to work in quality control, quality assurance and internal quality auditing.  These vocations are an essential component of the food processing industry, ensuring that food products meet all specifications prescribed by the company, the consumer, the retailer and the law.

A career in quality assurance and quality auditing can lead to a senior position in many of Australia’s food processing companies and in allied organisations such as the Australia New Zealand Food Authority and our various health departments which oversee food safety standards."

Dr Jim Ralph

Principal Lecturer, Applied Food Studies

"I grew up in the Clare Valley and finished school not knowing whether to go to university and study mechanical engineering or do something completely different. From this I decided to take a gap year to really figure out what I wanted to do and during this time a local refrigeration and air-conditioning business offered for me to do some work experience. And just like that I was hooked, it was a perfect combination of hands on work and applied physics.

I enjoy both the technical side of research that I’m currently doing on new and upcoming applications, but then I get to go out and test it and I really enjoy doing the practical, hands-on side of things."

Nathan Budarick

Graduate, Certificate III in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration

"I changed my career as a teacher to IT with very little prior knowledge of IT, but the training I’ve received at TAFE SA has helped me to learn a lot in a reasonably short period of time; it’s very practical and hands-on.

The subjects are industry-related and always updated and the staff and lecturers are easy to talk to. As an international student I have always felt informed and supported in my training options. I can easily say that this course has given me the confidence and necessary skills to help me kick-start a career in IT. I’m feeling enthusiastic about my career now and hope to be a successful computer scientist who will innovate and build new technologies."

Berat Yilmaz

Student, Diploma of Software Development

"Cross cultural communication is critical for anyone who would like their lives to be more enriched. Language is fundamentally human and we are not meant to stick with our own cultural groups but to learn and teach from other cultures. Translators are bridge builders who don’t merely change the format of a language they also maintain the message, they bear the honour and responsibility of the exchange of human ideas.

The TAFE SA course has been very helpful to me and the teachers helped me to relate back to my native language of Chinese. I have solidified the connection between the two language systems which gave me the skills to be a professional translator and helped me in my role as a language teacher."

Jin Chen

Graduate, Advanced Diploma of Translation

"A TAFE SA and university study pathway delivers a great blend of work ready applied learning and academic learning to enhance the outcomes achieved by students as well as enabling them to attain more than one qualification along the way"

Sharon Guscott

Principal Higher Education Consultant, University Pathways

"I chose visual effects (VFX) as a career as I believe there will be a high level of demand for people with these skills in the future. We are all living with VFX these days, in film, television, gaming, Netflix and even on the news. It would be awesome to watch a film on screen knowing that I had worked on some of the scenes.”

This is one of the best courses, if you are creative and want to work in VFX. It prepares you for industry with basic skill sets in 3D VFX software, portfolio outcome, presentation skills and co-working with other departments. I liked learning about the software including 3D modelling, texturing and matte painting.

With only four months left I’m feeling sad to be finishing the course and want to thank my lecturers and classmates. I have really enjoyed my time at Adelaide College of the Arts. When I step inside the campus each morning I can smell the art spirits from all the other program areas – this wakes up my artistic spirits as well!"

Changsook Choi

Student, Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media (VFX and CGI)

"Shipbuilding kicked off my career as a lecturer at Port Adelaide over twenty years ago and that program is now consolidated at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus. I’ve enjoyed moulding the skills of young apprentices, to become fully qualified professional tradesmen. A good apprentice has the right attitude and understands continuous improvement. I try to instil in them a strong sense of credibility and pride so they learn the skills that employers will pay good money for."

Dean Lawrence

Senior Lecturer, Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade

"The training helped me to be qualified to skipper passenger vessels up to 12m, drive tenders to large vessels, and also allows me to drive for research operations. The knowledge I gained in the Coxswains gave me extra confidence on the ocean and on boats, and allowed me to be employed in roles that are more challenging and add variety to my work.

It provided me with more flexibility in the work environment and also made me more capable as a recreational boater too. As a Coxswain, the pay can be better also, depending on the position and the employer. I loved this course and would recommend it to anyone in this industry."

Rebecca Bateman-John

Graduate, Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal)

"I enjoyed the experience of the course as a whole, mostly how it creates and encourages personal growth and self determination to become your best self and worker. When I first started I had no idea it would lead me to employment within a school as a one-on-one support worker, however I’m so grateful it has!"

Alycia Stanley

Graduate, Certificate IV in Youth Work

"Studying at TAFE SA gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for animal conservation, I love teaching visitors about how we can all positively impact our environment for the better."

Chelsea Teoh

Graduate, Diploma of Animal Technology