Industry Liaison Officers

GTEC employs Industry Liaison Officers (ILOs) whose roles are fundamental to our success.

Leesa Hanlon and Joanne Harris have extensive experience in all aspects of employment and apprenticeships. They have established significant networks of partnerships and employers, to ensure our students are supported and have access to employment opportunities. GTEC's VCAL Wood Technology teacher, Brett Smith, has assumed a significant part of the ILO role. His experience as an employer in the building industry and his enthusiastic engagement with students, families and employers, has been an invaluable support in this important role. He has repeatedly proved his capability in this field with numerous student placements.

Leesa Hanlon:  Ph. 0437 755 600 

Joanne Harris: Ph. 0400 992 718

Brett Smith: Ph. 0488 995 077

The central task of the ILOs is to ensure that every student has access to employment – either in Practical Placement or as a School Based Apprentice (ASbA). To do this, they liaise on the one hand with employers, Group Training Organisations, other Registered Training Organisations and Apprenticeship Centres; and on the other with trainers, teachers and parents to provide the best match for student and employer.  With nearly 1,000 employers on the GTEC database and the networking strength of our ILOs, GTEC students have unparalleled support and opportunity. In addition, they prepare every student with the skills necessary to secure work, from the creation of a resume to the initial interview, to showcasing skills on the job.

The ILOs are also mentors who provide ongoing support, working with the student and all stakeholders to ensure the very best of on-the-job training. While there are no guarantees that a student will secure a full-time apprenticeship in the two years of our program, GTEC has achieved exceptional results in the last year:

• Every student has had work placement
• More than half our students have an Australian School based Apprenticeship
• Almost one quarter of our students have been signed up for full-time work before they have completed their VCAL.