Dedicated Training Staff
Sarah Smith
Manager - Directions Registered Training Organisation
Sarah has worked with Directions for over ten years and started the training unit of Directions. In Sarah's current position as the Training (RTO) Unit Manager, she is passionate about developing new and innovative programs that contribute positively to WA communities.
There are many exciting initiatives that she is focused on achieving for Directions, including Overseas Training, expanding our Virtual Enterprise concept and developing partnerships with local community and industry organisations.
After winning the WA State Trainer of the Year Award, Sarah is always on the hunt for a new challenge both professionally and personally.
Vicki Davies
Trainer
Vicki Davies has been with Directions as a Training Officer for just over a year. She finds working with the trainees and seeing them reach their goals truly inspiring.
Previously she was Executive Officer of ConnectGroups a not for profit organisation that assisted the community link with and developed support groups for a wide range of life issues. She found this helped her see the benefits of empowerment through knowledge.
Vicki has over 30 years experience in administration/business in government and non government sectors and she says this has been a huge help in delivering business training.
In her 'spare' time Vicki has performed as a soloist with WA Opera Company, Perth Oratorio Choir and various other musical companies. Her passion these days is permaculture and spending time with her 'chooks' on her property.
Michele Fryer-Hornsby - (note only one ‘L’ in Michele)
Trainer
With a background in computers, graphic design, business and training Michele is in the perfect job and can't wait to see what the future has in store!
Being passionate about innovative training and the empowerment of others, Michele is fortunate enough to be in a dynamic environment, where she can continue her professional growth in the training industry and still involve herself in all her favourite areas - computers, multi-media, e-learning and training every day.
With a love for colour, music, artistic stuff, travel and gardening, Michele's life is sometimes chaotic but usually fun. She has a great family who are truly supportive of her work and personal interests and are always encouraging her to achieve her full potential in life.
Leah Klassek
Trainee
Leah Klassek has been working for the Directions Registered Training Organisation since February 2009.
Leah left school two years ago to pursue a career in the business industry aspiring to be fully qualified business manager.
After completing a Certificate II and III in business she is currently studying a Certificate IV in Business.
Outside of work Leah enjoys reading, playing the guitar, networking, songwriting and blogging. Leah has grown up in Spencers Brook, Western Australia, with her large family.
Yun Lan
Trainer
Yun was born and raised in the Canton province of China. Yun came to Australia in 2004 to complete her business degree and later a Graduate Diploma in Education.
Yun's interest has always been in languages and cultural studies, but having recently found her passion in education, she started a career as adult teacher and is enjoying every minute of it! She is also a volunteer interpreter and Chinese language instructor. When Yun is not teaching, she likes cooking, enjoys outings with her aussie friends and simply enjoying the casual lifestyle in Perth.
Rebecca Brown
Compliance Manager
Rebecca joined Directions this year and has worked in the vocational education and training sector for more than 15 years.
She started in employment based training as the Registrar under the Industrial Training Act and has spent the last 8 years in VET regulation.
Rebecca also spent time working at the Swan District Education Office developing and implementing VET in Schools programs for the secondary school students in the District.
Jane Donaldson
Employment and Training Officer
Jane has previously worked in the soft furnishing industry for 17 years with 15 of those spent operating her own business.
After recently selling her business, she decided to try something new and started making enquiries. With a passion for wanting to assist small businesses in some way and a desire to complete some training, Jane contacted Directions in Kalgoorlie and the opportunity arose for her to take up employment in the training side of the organisation.
Jane is undertaking her Certificate IV in Training and Assessing which will enable her to train and assess for her role at Directions.
Natasha Ellis
Trainee
Natasha was working in the farming industry as a 'Rouseabout' until 2010 when she decided to try something new and undergo training in business.
After completion of her Certificate II in Business, she wrote to the Chief Executive Officer of Directions requesting if there was any possibility of full time employment with the company.
Natasha was accepted for a Certificate III in Business traineeship and after she has completed this traineeship, she will be exploring ongoing training to enable her to become a Trainer for Directions.
Courtney Eastwell
Administration Assistant
Courtney has been with Directions for nearly two years having initially started as a student in the Virtual Enterprise. After completing Certificate II in Business, Courtney was offered a position as receptionist in the Midland office while continuing her Certificate III in Business studies.
Courtney has now progressed and completed Certificate IV and has commenced working full time for the RTO. Courtney has always enjoyed working at Directions as she has the opportunity to help people achieve their potential, which she finds fulfilling as well as enjoying the friendliness of staff.
Courtney's spare time is spent watching movies, shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Robyn Williams
Workforce Development
Robyn started with Directions in January 2012 and is focused on workforce development through identifying and establishing new partnerships in the metropolitan area as her primary focus.
Robyn is currently completing her Bachelor of Education (Secondary) with Curtin University as well as undertaking her Certificate IV in Training and Assessing. On completion of Certicate IV Robyn would like to participate in further studies in human resources. Robyn is passionate about education and, particularly, Vocational Training for women returning to the workforce.
Robyn's hobbies include breeding paint horses, dabbling in poultry and taking care of the general farming needs on her property.
Kylie Freeman
Training Officer
Kylie joined Directions in June 2011 and has worked in the training industry for eight years.
Prior to joining Directions, Kylie worked for Kmart as a Manager and held previous training positions with Coles Myer Institute for 5 years and was the Training and Implementation Manager for Coles for 3 years. After 16 years working with large companies, Kylie is really enjoying working at Directions as she finds working with the students rewarding and the staff have made Kylie feel 'at home'.
Kylie is completing a Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood at ECU and has also worked as an Education Assistant.
Kylie's free time is spent with her young son, her dog and friends.
