A Commitment to Learners That Speaks Louder Than Awards
Published on: 16 Sep 2026
2026 VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, TasTAFE's Kelly Down.
TasTAFE Metals Teacher Kelly Down, winner of the 2026 Tasmanian Training Awards VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award, is driven by one thing above all else; helping her learners succeed. Her passion for their growth, confidence, and future is what shapes her teaching every day, and her award reflects the difference she makes in their lives.
“I genuinely love what I do. For me, the important thing is helping students believe in themselves, building their confidence and providing them with a safe and supportive environment where they can succeed. The students are still the highlight of my job,” Kelly said.
A TasTAFE Alumna, Kelly studied fashion for two years before completing an apprenticeship that led to a career in the trades firstly at Bell Bay Aluminium and then Precision Engineering and Manufacturing in Launceston. Kelly’s TAFE teachers, and her early employers, had a profoundly positive effect that would shape her future career choices.
“When I was an apprentice attending TAFE, I was lucky enough to have teachers such as Dave Whitt and Michael Mohr. They made a real impression on me. I remember thinking at the time that I would love to do what they did one day and help mentor and guide the next generation of tradespeople.”
Returning to George Town, Kelly was offered a job at Grant Mawer Engineering – at a time when it was harder for women to enter the trades than it is today.
“Grant [Mawer] offered me a chance to work in the workshop and later complete shutdown work around the local area. Over the years, and while raising children, Grant continued to provide opportunities to me. I’ve always been very grateful for the faith he showed and the support he gave me throughout that period of my career.”
Kelly spent around ten years back at Bell Bay Aluminium where she won numerous awards and her initiatives were adopted across Rio Tinto sites. The many years of positive influence and mentorship were about to come full-circle.
“When the opportunity came up to join TasTAFE, I decided to take the leap. I quickly realised that being a good tradesperson and being a good teacher were very different skills!
“It probably took me around three years to really develop confidence as a teacher. I knew how to do the practical tasks, but I had to learn the technical theory behind why things worked the way they did and, more importantly, how to explain that knowledge to others. This learning journey made me a better teacher.”
Kelly says she is fortunate to work in a career where she can tailor learning to individual students and help them discover their strengths.
“There have been many students over the years who have reminded me why teaching matters. One student arrived with an attendance rate of around four percent. Through building a relationship, providing support and creating a learning environment he enjoyed, his attendance increased to eighty percent. Watching that transformation was incredibly rewarding.”
Kelly shared many anecdotes of her past five and a half years at TasTAFE including working with a diverse range of learners, finding ways to keep those facing challenges engaged and interested in their learning, and seeing her students succeed.
“Just recently, two graduates visited me wearing their work uniforms. They were excited to show me they had secured employment and wanted to share their success. Moments like this mean more to me than any award.”
And while Kelly is grateful of the award she received, she says she is even more proud of the students she has been able to support along the way.
“If they leave my class believing they can achieve something, then I’ve done my job. Their success is what keeps me motivated every day.”
