Learner success is about ensuring that you are at the centre of our teaching and feel supported throughout your learning journey.
We provide a host of integrated supports to ensure your learning experience is a collaborative and rewarding one, and that you leave our courses equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to have an impactful career.
Dedicated trainer support
Educators and learners are partners with a shared goal: to impact the world around them through care and compassion.
All of our trainers have real-life experience in relevant sectors and workplaces, so they closely understand it, as well as the type of challenges you might come across. The trainer’s aim is to develop a productive learning collaboration, tailored to your specific learning style, and a solid foundation for future professional relationships.
That’s why you’re assigned a trainer who will closely support you right the way through your learning experience with us.
Dedicated support throughout your learning journey
Stacey Earles
LLN Support Coordinator
With a range of qualifications including an Early Childhood Diploma of Teaching, a Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Stacey brings many years of experience supporting individuals with their reading and writing skills to the role of a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Coordinator.
“The aspects of my role that I enjoy the most are interacting with learners and empowering them to discover their own abilities and seeing their confidence develop.”
Stacey also has spent many years living in the UK and New Zealand as well as various part of Australia, teaching and supporting a diverse mix of children and educators with their language, literacy and numeracy skills to help them achieve their personal and work goals.
Sally Forbes
Aged Care Training Manager
Sally has dedicated 20+ years to the aged care sector, starting as a personal care worker and now leading as Catalyst’s Aged Care Training Manager. Sally is passionate about creating a meaningful impact on the aged care sector by ensuring that learners leave Catalyst as compassionate, skilled, and empathetic carers.
As a leader, Sally’s approach is grounded firmly in kindness, enthusiasm, and leading by example. She works closely with her team to deliver training that is rigorous, adaptable, and aligned with the needs of clients and learners.
Sally is proud to oversee programs that adapt to the changing demands of the aged care industry, such as addressing workforce shortages and incorporating post-Royal Commission best practices. For Sally, the most fulfilling part of her role is watching trainers and learners grow, from their first steps into the sector to becoming capable and empathetic carers and strong advocates for the elderly.
Nikita Perry
Early Childhood Training Manager
Nikita’s is a dedicated Early Childhood Education and Care professional and an advocate for the sector. She has a passion for children’s development and wellbeing and believes that the early years are the most important. She truly values the contribution that early childhood educators make for children and families every day, more so now that she has two children of her own who access early learning.
Nikita has worked in the VET sector for close to a decade. She endeavours to ensure that learners have a positive experience at Catalyst and believes that relationships and communication are the key to achieving positive outcomes. She has enjoyed teaching, supporting, and shaping the educators of today, knowing that this will lead to bright futures for our children.
As a leader, Nikita is a kind and compassionate role model. She supports the training team by ensuring they are well equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to provide high-quality training and assessment to their learners. She empowers team members to grow and learn and supports them to achieve their goals.
Nikita is a fellow of the Apiary, a collective of professionals from within the Early Childhood environment who are committed to creating thriving futures for children in Australia.
Learner Experience Leads
Megan Hebing
Megans background working in the Early Childhood Education and Care sector for 8 years alongside having her own children, inspired her to begin her career as a Trainer and Assessor.
Megan has a passion for working with and mentoring learners to ensure that they have the best possible education. She supports learners to develop a deep understanding of children’s development and the role they play in supporting children through the most important years of their learning lives.
Megan loves being able to support learners to become high quality Early Childhood Educators. She uses real life examples and experiences to support learners understanding of the theory being delivered.
Working with learners to support their individual needs around their study and progress is so important. Megan loves being able to work alongside learners, employers and their services to ensure that we can encourage ongoing progression throughout the duration of their course, creating positive outcomes for the leaner and the Early Childhood Sector.
Helen Haddad
Helen’s passion for the Early Years sector is evident through her commitment to ensuring that all learners are provided with opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge to become skilled, high quality Early Childhood Educators.
Through knowledge and experience gained while working in the Early Years sector, tertiary education, and VET sector, spanning over 25 years, Helen brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience which she confidently shares with emerging and current educators.
Helen is strongly committed in promoting awareness that early childhood educators be recognised as educational professionals, helping to raise a better understanding of the important role they play in children’s formative years.
Helen uses a collaborative and inclusive approach in guiding her team of trainers and assessors, leading by example to ensure that training is flexible to meet the needs of individual learners and their learning styles.
Helen holds a Diploma of Early Childhood, Advanced Diploma of Community Services Management and Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education and Care).
Bhav Drain
Bhav has worked in the Early Childhood Sector for 11 yrs, gaining extensive experience in relationship management with all stakeholders. She is driven by the desire to shape future professionals in the Early Childhood Sector whilst mentoring current and emerging Trainers and Assessors in the VET sector.
Her interest in the Early Childhood Sector was sparked when her child began his early years in an Early Learning service, which prompted her to pivot her career from Human Resources to Early Childhood.
As a leader, she embodies her passion through her personality, leading by moral example, kindness, and a touch of humour. Outside of work, she loves her food, fashion & the outdoor world.
She is eager to collaborate with like-minded individuals to build a strong community in the Training and Early Childhood Sector to support and empower current and emerging Early Childhood Professionals to succeed in their study and career goals.
Bhav holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from the University of TAR, Malaysia, and has obtained a Diploma in Early Childhood Education, as well as a certification IV in Training and Assessment from Monash University.
What our learners say about us
We support your success
The learner supports we have available ensures you, the learner, are at the centre of our teaching, and feel supported at every learning stage. From the moment you enrol to the time you graduate and join the workforce, and sometimes beyond, we aim to co-create a transformational learning experience.
