Pinnacle Safety and Training Blog

Want to get off the tools?

Want to get off the tools but not waste all the years of experience you’ve gained? Have you considered a new career as a Trainer/Assessor?

At Pinnacle Safety and Training, we employ some of Australia’s best trainers. We asked a few of them how they got into the industry and whether they’d recommend it to others.

Here’s what they said…

“I was a public servant before I became a trainer. Being a trainer is great. I especially like interacting with people from a diverse range of workplaces and backgrounds. Working in air conditioning is also a bonus! If you want to see your industry improve, or just want the opportunity to share your knowledge and practical experiences with others, then being a trainer is the way to go.”—Trix

“I was a construction labourer before I became a trainer. I love not working 12-hour days on building sites in the elements. And passing my skills on to others is a very rewarding experience. I worked hard to get here, but I’d certainly recommend it to others if they have a trade and hands-on experience in the field they want to teach.”—Brett

“Prior to being a trainer, I was a production coordinator for film and television productions. I decided to change careers so I could spend more time with my family, rather than travelling. I found the transition to be pretty straightforward. I applied myself to getting the qualifications and started in my new role just over two months after leaving my old job. I have recommended to my friends that they consider this career path. It’s a very rewarding experience knowing you’re making a difference to people’s lives.”—Samantha

Does becoming a trainer interest you, but you’re not sure where to start?

Here’s an outline of what you need to do to become a trainer in the VET system (which includes TAFEs and Registered Training Organisations):

• You need to complete a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116), which you can do with Pinnacle Safety and Training, either in-person or online.*
• You need to hold the qualification you want to teach. For example, let’s say you want to teach Work Safely at Heights (RIIWHS204D) then you need to have successfully completed this course. In some cases, you may need some other qualifications as well (for example, you might need a White Card).
• You need to have industry knowledge and experience that is current and relevant to the area you want to teach. For example, you might be working in the relevant industry now or you have done so in the not-so-distant past.

* Additional requirements apply to trainers and assessors delivering training products from the TAE Training and Education Training Package.