Cade Lucas
Altona’s Alicia Farr might still be completing high school, but her career has already received a head start thanks to TAFE’s school based trainee program.
The Chisholm TAFE graduate and year 12 student at Mount St Joseph’s Girls’ College, Ms Farr won both the School Based Trainee of the Year and the People’s Choice Award at the annual Victorian Training Awards late last month.
A lifeguard and swim teacher at Bayfit Leisure Centre in Altona, Ms Farr completed a Certificate III in Aquatics and Community Recreation through Chisholm Institute of TAFE and Leisure Employment Australia.
“I was really surprised to be nominated but I put in a huge effort with my studies and it’s paid off,” said Ms Farr of her dual triumph where her passion and dedication to teaching children water safety was recognised.
Listening to her speak, it’s not hard to see why.
“I strongly believe swimming is an essential skill that can save lives and promote overall wellbeing,” she said.
“Whenever I’m teaching in the pool, I try to create lessons reminiscent of the positive experiences I had at my swim lessons when I was a child.”
Ms Farr found juggling schoolwork, traineeship commitments and her TAFE course challenging.
“At first it was very stressful as I had this big pile of work, so I learned to schedule and plan better,” she said.
Fortunately, the units she completed through TAFE still contribute towards her VCE score, as well as providing other benefits.
“The training has strengthened my sense of personal development and empowered me both personally and professionally,” Ms Farr said.
“Prior to my traineeship, I was shy and nervous but as time passed, I felt more confident as a swim instructor, which made it easier to connect with my students and make their classes more fun.”
Ms Farr credits her TAFE teachers, Bayfit Leisure Centre teammates, and Leisure Employment Australia staff for encouraging her on to success and despite the hectic schedule, would recommend school based TAFE courses to other VCE students.
“It’s significantly expanded my horizons by making a wide range of possible career paths apparent to me,” she said.
“My school-based traineeship taught me to always aim for excellence which has allowed me to be the best version of myself.”
