From industry to educator
Meet Peter, Education Manager at PEER
- Peter has taught Certificates II and III in Electrotechnology and now oversees delivery of Certificate III in Plumbing, Electrotechnology, Refrigeration and Airconditioning programs at PEER.
- He has been teaching for over 12 years and is currently in a leadership role.
- Peter completed an electrical apprenticeship and worked in construction, industrial electrical and fire protection.
- Before moving into vocational education, he operated his own electrical business.
“After leaving school and completing a pre-vocational course at TAFE, I accepted an electrical apprenticeship with the Electricity Trust of South Australia. Over the next 24 years, I built a rewarding career in the electrical trade, eventually operating my own business. I enjoyed the technical challenges of electrical work, the satisfaction of completing projects to a high standard, and the independence that came with working for myself.
Initially, I became involved in training to secure more consistent work between larger electrical projects. However, once I began delivering training, I quickly discovered a genuine passion for helping others develop their skills and confidence. The work was highly rewarding, and I enjoyed supporting learners as much as I had working in the trade. This led me to close my electrical business and commit to training on a full-time basis.”
“I had never believed I would become an educator and was introduced to the role almost by chance. An opportunity to utilise my trade experience as a subject matter expert with ATEC came up and they supported me to complete my TAE qualification. Another opportunity came up when I joined PEER, and in my first year I was honoured to be a finalist in the South Australian Training Awards Trainer of the Year category.”
“From the moment I worked with my first group of learners I found my purpose and, with some support and guidance, I was able to achieve strong outcomes - particularly with learners who had previously struggled in traditional education. How the learners responded, became engaged and passionate about the electrical industry was immensely rewarding.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my current role is identifying experienced tradespeople in industry and encouraging them to take the step into training. I’ve supported many to make the transition, and now I see these individuals developing and contributing to the next generation.
Being part of the full learner journey with students in VET in Schools programs, to apprentices, and later becoming supervisors, business owners and employers of their own apprentices is what I value most.
The opportunity to guide young people into career pathways and watch that long-term growth is something I take great pride in.”
"No two days are the same. In my current role, I lead a department responsible for the training of more than 1,200 apprentices across Plumbing, Electrotechnology, and Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
A typical day can involve supporting trainers, monitoring learner progress, reviewing program delivery, resolving operational issues and working with employers to ensure apprentices receive relevant, high-quality training. I’m also involved in workforce planning, continuous improvement, resource development and maintaining the quality and compliance of our programs."
“For me, the transition from electrician to educator has been life changing. After leaving school the VET sector gave me my first real sense of achievement and has provided me with a career that is both meaningful and impactful. It continues to give me a strong sense of purpose in supporting others to succeed.
If you’re looking for a new career path, and get satisfaction from assisting others achieve their goals, I highly recommend seeking guidance from other VET educators and leaders.”