Published on: 2nd August 2022
“Do you have a big dream that you want to achieve? TAKE ACTION, make it a reality.” – Trina Wilson.
Trina Wilson is the Community Impact Coordinator at Deaf Connect. She loves the emphasis she can put on the Deaf community within her role in developing projects, workshops, and information sessions to empower the Deaf community.
Trina is a passionate and proud member of the Deaf community, coming from a large Deaf family herself, Auslan is her first language and having been immersed in the Deaf community her whole life it is where she feels most at home and connected.
Interpreting provides access to communication and information to the Deaf community and Deaf and hard of hearing people like Trina benefit from this service. The National Disability Insurance Scheme has created an additional strain on the interpreting workforce, and we need more teachers to support the education of future interpreters.
Trina applied to complete her TAE40116 – Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) along with other Deaf students as a way of working towards a larger Deaf trainer workforce. This was an initiative of Workability Queensland, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, MRWED and Access Training & Education through Deaf Connect. The delivery of the course was fully accessible for the Deaf and hard of hearing students with the incorporation of interpreters and an experienced Deaf trainer to allow for discussion in Auslan amongst the teaching staff and students.
The TAE course teaches the students how to deliver and assess vocational qualifications in a classroom and in a workplace training setting. The course prepares students for a career in training and assessing vocational studies such as nationally recognised qualifications in Auslan.
When asked what she enjoyed about studying the TAE course, Trina said “The thing I loved most was being in a Deaf group, with the ability to discuss things and learn in Auslan. Often the other students gave me a very different perspective to consider. It was truly an amazing experience.”
Her commitment to studying the TAE course has had a profound impact on her professional and personal life such as improving her ability to see things from a unique perspective and enhancing learning experiences.
“Before I started the course, I thought I would give it a go. Then I realised how many potential work opportunities are related to this qualification. For example, in the future, I could teach literacy to Deaf students, but there are so very many things you can use this qualification for.” Says Trina Wilson.
