Trade Teacher Awards announced

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) announced the winners of the inaugural Trade Teacher Awards for 2007 in the Electrical and Communications categories, at the NECA Awards of Excellence event held last week.

Speaking at the awards dinner, Mr James Tinslay, chief executive officer of NECA, said he was delighted with the number and quality of the nominations, which enabled the judging panel to make two overall awards and five highly commended awards:

"¢ Data Communications Winner:

Steve Waye, TAFE NSW Hunter Institute, Belmont Campus

"¢ Highly Commended:

Trevor Ferguson, University of Ballarat

"¢ Electrical Winner:

David Arnold, TAFE NSW, Dubbo Campus

"¢ Highly Commended:

Phillip Redenbach, TAFE NSW Bathurst Campus

Shane Baker, VICTEC Skills Centre

Peter Parry, University of Ballarat

Les Partridge, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne

Wes McKnight, director of McKnights Electrical and convenor of the judging panel, agreed the quality of the nominations was outstanding. "They highlighted a surprisingly high standard amongst today's trade teachers, many of whom clearly worked above and beyond their normal responsibilities.

"Both of the winners demonstrated a commitment to doing far more than they are required to do as part of their jobs, and they are doing it in their own time. I had never realised there was this level of commitment to excellence amongst trade teachers "” it was very surprising and very pleasing for the judging panel," he said.