TIV – The Trade School of Choice for Students and Trainers

David Stark has a strong background in the building and construction industry. He worked as a foreman for a commercial concreting company as well as a project manager/estimator/foreman for a construction company that built their own factory developments.

He has seen both good and bad tradespeople and understands the value of quality education in the industry.

Becoming a TIV Trainer

He first came across the Trade Institute of Victoria (TIV) when he began his (CPC40110) Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) with the aim of obtaining his building licence. He went on and completed the (CPC50210) Diploma of Building and Construction (Building) and experienced first-hand the quality of education and training offered by TIV.

So, when an opportunity arose for him to do his teaching accreditation and become a trainer for TIV, he jumped at the chance. He saw it as a natural extension of what he had been doing for the past 15 years. He says, “Being a foreman, I was educating, teaching, and implementing systems for the crews to get projects completed. I had that training background and I’m always about quality of work and improvement in the industry.”

He currently trains people in the (CPC40100) Certificate IV in Building and Construction (Building) course, and some common units for the (CPC30211) Certificate III in Carpentry course.

 

I had that training background and I’m always about quality of work and improvement in the industry.”

Exciting New Opportunities

David also revealed that next year he plans to work up a course which will be a Certificate III in Concreting. It’s something he’s excited about because as he explains, most people working in the concreting part of the industry don’t have a formal qualification.  “Over the years, it’s more hands on and years of experience…and everyone’s got their own way (of doing things). Some are good and some are bad.” He goes on to say that concreting “should be one of the most important trade skills because it’s the foundation of a building.”

David enjoys working as a trainer for TIV “because they listen and implement any changes or strategies needed to be better. If there’s anything that I think could be done better or any suggestions that are put forward, I feel like they are heard and acted upon.”

COVID and the Virtual Classroom

COVID, as we know, threw many businesses into chaos when it hit. For David, the most heartbreaking part has been the (CPC30211) Certificate III in Carpentry students having to put their studies on hold. He says, “Over the time, we’ve done as much as we can online, but the rest has to be done on site. We have to be able to physically see the work.”  He looks forward to when they all come back and finish the great work they started.

David likes face to face teaching and admits that moving to a virtual classroom was a learning curve for him. He adds though that “the more we’re doing it, the better and easier it’s becoming.”

Advantages of Online Learning

One of the biggest advantages of the virtual classroom has been the course opening up to people all over Victoria. Students that wouldn’t normally take the course because of work or travel distance are now able to enrol and participate.

David also believes that students are making better use of the extra time they have as well. He explains, “If they’re in the comfort of their own home or in their office or wherever they are, they will stay back and they will ask more questions instead of looking at the time and saying, I’ve got to beat the traffic, I know it’s an hour drive, I’ve got to go.” David believes this is resulting in a better understanding by students of the materials they’re learning.

Why Should Students Choose TIV?

David believes that TIV really is the best choice for students. He has been a student and a trainer at TIV and despite offers from other trade schools, he chooses to remain because he knows the quality of education that is being delivered.

According to David, students get “the personal touch” at TIV. “They’re given full attention and time from the trainer to get through it. So even though it may be a struggle at the start because everything is new and daunting, the trainers are there to help. It’s very friendly. The trainers are very approachable and we’re very giving of our time. Everyone at TIV has the students’ best interests at heart.”

 

“The trainers are very approachable and we’re very giving of our time. Everyone at TIV has the students’ best interests at heart.”

David also mentions that TIV is very inclusive with a wide cross section of students from different work backgrounds, different nationalities, different genders and of all ages. “I find there’s no judgement. There’s no discrimination. They’re all there for a reason. They want to be better and they’re prepared to apply themselves and that’s what I like,” says David.

If you want to learn your trade at a school that really cares about your success, please get in touch.  We’d love to help you gain your qualifications in the building and construction industry.

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