Training for engineering, meat retail, business, warehousing, forklift, first aid and mine inductions

Our Trainers Axial employs more than 20 trainers who specialise in the areas of engineering, meat retail (butchery), business, mine site safety, risk assessment and forklift training. Our trade trainers visit trainees and apprentices in workplaces across Queensland and Western Australia. All of our trainers have hands on experience in their chosen trade or profession and are dedicated to providing tailored training to suit the needs of our students and their employers. The team undertake regular professional development and vocational currency to ensure their skills remain relevant. To find out a bit more about some of our trainers, please read their short bios below::
Bill Penney Training area: Mining Employment history: Bill has a wide range of experience in a number of industries. He has worked as an auto-mechanics trainer in Papua New Guinea and Australia and has been a part-time truckie. He got his career start in New Zealand, where he trained as a mechanic with the Royal New Zealand Airforce. In New Zealand, he has also worked as a trainer and owned/managed his own retail shop. How long have you been with Axial? Since July 2011. What do you enjoy about your job the most? Meeting new students on a weekly basis and interacting with them. Very interesting! What is the age of the oldest apprentice you have trained? In PNG, and he was over 40 years of age. What do you like to do in your spare time? Heaps! Fishing, camping, DIY, 4WD and freestyle jewellery. If you weren't doing this job, what would you be? Manufacturing jeweller!

Clifford Stephen Jensen (Bird) Training area: Engineering Employment history: Bird has extensive experience in the construction and mining industries, working 15 years in each industry, followed by 5 years of semi retirement and working as a engineering trainer with Axial. How long have you been with Axial? 1 year. What do you enjoy most about this job? Watching peoples reactions on their faces when you are training and they understand what you are talking about. Describe yourself in three words: Happy, contented and experienced. Tell us about your favourite holiday destination: My property in Mackay. If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be and why? Friends and family. They're the most important people in your life.

Roy Simpkin Training area: Meat retail Employment history: Roy has extensive experience working in the industry. He has supervised boning rooms and owned his own butcher shop near Bundaberg. How long have you been with Axial? 2 years. What do you enjoy most about this job? Seeing a young man or woman complete a trade which they have for life. What is the most interesting place you've visited while on the job? I recently trained an apprentice at a remote slaughter yard near Clermont, 274 km south-west of Mackay. What do you like having on your toast for breakfast? Brufax (savoury yeast flakes). What music do you listen to while on the road between training visits? I don't. I listen to talking books that I get from the library.

Warren Nicholls Training area: Meat Retail Employment history: Warren worked as an apprentice butcher from 1968-1973 and then owned his own butcher shop for over 17 years. How long have you been with Axial? 13 years. What do you enjoy most about this job? Giving back to this industry and helping young people get through their apprenticeship. What is the most remote place you've been to while on the job? Bamaga and Seisia at the very tip of Queensland. If you could give your 18-year old self, one piece of advice what would it be? Have a go! Don't think that you can't do it. Try, and when you do a job, do it to your best. What did you have for dinner last night? Braised steak and vegies with garlic spinach.

Mark Crellin Training area: Mechanical Engineering and Fitting and Turning Employment history: Spent 22 years working at British Steel. How long have you been with Axial? Four years. What do you enjoy about your job the most? Visiting a range of different workplaces and mentoring young apprentices. Describe yourself in three words: Blunt, honest and conscientious When you are on the road between training visits, what is your favourite snack to eat? Tuna and rice or a cheese and pickle sandwich.

Tracey Meyer Training area: Business and Business Administration Employment history: Finance and legal administration. Work in all administration and finance departments for Thomson Reuters and financial institutions in the United Kingdom and South Africa. How long have you been with Axial? Since April 2009 What do you enjoy most about this job? Training, coaching and interacting with students. Describe yourself in three words: Organised, motivated and ambitious. What has been the worst ever job you have done during the course of your career? Data entry. If you weren't doing this job, what would you be? A doctor if I had the money at the time of leaving school.

Tony Morgan Training area: Meat Retail (Butchery) Employment history: 27 years' experience as a full time butcher, manager and owner. Also a qualified smallgoods butcher. Four years of casual work in the marine industry. How long have you been with Axial? 6 years What do you enjoy about your job the most? Self managed work. What is the age of the oldest apprentice you have trained? 55 years old. What do you like to do in you spare time? Relax at home. If you weren't doing this job, what would you be? Butcher shop manager.

Steve Kearney Training area: Engineering - Fabrication/Welding Employment history: Steve has been working in the engineering field since 1974 as a boilermaker, welding supervisor, QA manager, WHSO and trainer. Steve has been with Axial for four and a half years. What do you enjoy most about your job? Working with young people and helping them become tradespeople. Describe yourself in three words: A normal bloke What has been the worst ever job you have done during the course of your career? Repairing an offal cooker at an abattoir. When you are on the road between training visits, what is your favourite snack? An apple.

Steven McCormick Training area: Mining, OHS, Restricted Electrical Employment history: Steve was an electrician for 28 years and has worked in open cut and underground coal mines (13 years) as well as in the commercial, industrial and construction sectors. Steve has been a trainer/assessor for the past two years, of which he was worked for Axial for the majority of this time. What do you enjoy most about your job? As a facilitator I have the chance to highlight the experience I've had to a learning environment. I also enjoy working with the other staff members. Describe yourself in three words: Flexible, free, fun. What has been the worst ever job you have done during the course of your career? Wiring up a conveyor system up to my chest in mud for 2,12 hour shifts. Where is your favourite holiday destination? Thailand - cheap food, cheap drink. Living is cheap.

Chris Holder Training area: Transport and logistics. Employment history: Chris has worked in the logistics industry for 15 years. He initially started with a family owned transport company at Brisbane Markets and then later moved on to Fosters Australia. How long have you been with Axial? 3 years. What do you enjoy most about this job? Helping students recognised their own safety requirements and that there is a future career in the logistics area. What is the most interesting place you've visited while on the job? My first trip away was to Biggenden where the local BP had burnt down and the old lady at the hotel refused to give me the keys to my room until the rain had stopped. What do you like having on your toast for breakfast? Anything but honey. What music do you listen while on the road between visits? Country.

Annie Alexander Training area: Mining, first aid and more... Employment history: Annie has ten years experience in the training industry. She is a qualified paramedic, security manager and safety officer. Annie is also a marriage celebrant and Justice of the Peace in her spare time. How long have you been with Axial? Over 3 months. What do you enjoy most about this job? The variety of people who come to the courses - each brings a diverse range of skills and experience to the class. What is the most remote place you've been to while on the job? With previous roles I have worked in PNG and Solomon Islands in remote villages with no power or water. If you could give your 18-year old self, one piece of advice what would it be? Not to change anything I have done. I have no regrets. What did you have for dinner last night? Sausages and potato.