Mark Haigh - National Manager

Mark is the National Manager for the Centre of Excellence in Rail Training. Mark has presided over a significant growth in CERT’s operations throughout 2005 and 2006 committed to providing quality staff and systems. He has been able to establish professional, committed and flexible training team which has been designed to meet the needs of industry.

Mark has excellent organisational and planning skills which have been developed throughout his working life in industries including traineeships and apprenticeships, vocational training experience and as an education officer with both government and non-governmental organisations.

Since 2006 Mark has been the National Manager of CERT and has implemented compliant, responsive, flexible and innovative training teams and processes nationally to support Rail Safety Worker Competence projects in all states of Australia.

Mark is conversant with all states Rail Safety legislation with a particular knowledge of how they pertain to worker competence.

He has established and maintained quality systems in training for clients including but not limited to ARTC, Thiess, Laing O’Rourke, Fluor Rail Services, Abi Group, Queensland Rail, Aurizon, Public Transport Authority of WA, Roy Hill, Samsung, John Holland Group, RailCorp, CFCLA and Rhomberg Rail.

Sean Choat - National Quality Assurance Manager

Sean Choat over the past 10 years has worked in the Queensland Vocational Education and Training Sector for many years, having worked for many years in the training and regulatory arms of the Queensland Government and as a National RTO and VET Manager for QR Limited.

Sean’s experience has been inclusive of all elements within a RTO which is inclusive of administration, accounts, compliance, tendering, auditing, funding, business development, strategic planning, risk mitigation, ethics and human resources. Throughout his many years in the VET sector Sean has developed vast networks and gained practical experience in delivery, development, and corporate governance functions as they relate to the provision of quality training and meeting national regulatory requirements.

Sean has also served as a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, providing an in-depth understanding of corporate and government relations, operation of government, and implications for industry.

Having worked in both the regulatory and operational sides of the VET sector, Sean brings to the team a focus on continuous improvement and quality based on practical experience and achievement.

Rae Fossard - National Workforce Development Consultant

Rae Fossard recently worked with the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council; one of the 11 Commonwealth funded Industry Skills Councils as the Senior Training Package Specialist for Rail. Rae’s primary role was to develop qualifications and Skill Sets specifically for the rail industry which was then placed in the TLI Training Package. He was also responsible for collecting industry intelligence to provide to government on workforce planning and industry skill requirements related to the rail industry.

Following graduation from university in 1979, Rae worked in rail operations with London Underground before progressing into operations training in 1986. After leaving the UK in 1990, Rae spent nine years in Hong Kong working with a variety of international and local organisations within the engineering and construction sectors. During this time he also completed an MSc in Training with Leicester University, UK.

Prior to joining TLISC in May 2008, Rae work for almost seven years with a Registered Training Organisation servicing the rail industry in Melbourne.

In the last five years Rae has worked closely with industry to review and redevelop all qualifications related to rail operations and infrastructure activities. Within rail infrastructure this has resulted in the development of over 400 new units of competency and 11 specific qualifications ranging from AQF Certificate II to IV and over 40 Skill Sets. In rail operations eight qualifications and around 10 Skill Sets have been developed for industry ranging from a Certificate II in Shunting to Certificate IV in Network Control and Rail Safety Management. Work has recently been completed on a Diploma of Rail Operations which will be available in early in 2014.

Graham Barnes - Western & Central Operations Manager

Graham offers over 25 years in learning and development and specifically 13 years managing a training system and people in a fast-paced and complex environment. Graham has an extensive knowledge and understanding (including all legislative/statutory standards & requirements and Registered Training Organisation requirements) of learning and development and the Australian resources sector.

In his role at Rio Tinto Graham lead a team of 32 people located across 4 key operational sites. This role required the provision of rail training solutions to all sectors of the rail division (comprising of approximately 1600 employees and contractors working in the key areas of Rail Operations, Rail Maintenance, Rail Engineering, Rail Technology and Innovation and Rail Services). This involved the establishment and development of a flexible and sustainable rail training structure supported with the required skills, equipment and processes to meet business needs and capability requirements.

In Graham’s role as a training advisor he was directly responsible for the promotion, delivery and execution of standardised training and assessment systems and processes. This also included the promotion, monitoring and auditing of training and assessment policy and related guidelines.

During his employment at Pilbara Iron Graham was accountable for the delivery of all HSE and vocational training to employees and contractors as well as continuously reviewing and developing the HSE and vocational training and assessment material.

Jason Baxter - Queensland Operations Manager

Jason Baxter has spent the past 10 years working on the railway in all areas, Jason starting as a track worker learning all aspects of track work then work his way up to becoming a track protection officer and prior joining CERT Jason was the Regional Rail Safety Advisor for NSW with Transfield Rail Services his duties included safeworking training, inductions, worksite protection audits, Drug & Alcohol testing and Rail safety investigation.

Jason joined CERT 3 years ago as a Training & Assessor. Jason uses his expertise as a professional Trainer for CERT to offer this knowledge for both on track work and also the safeworking side as well.

Jason also has extensive experience in safeworking areas such as National Tack Safety Awareness, Handsignalling Levels 2, Protection Officer Level 4, Safeworking Level 1, Track Vehicle Operation and Track Machine Operation.  Whilst Jason also has specialised training Track assessment/Certification (52/53) and also holds the equivalent safeworking qualifications for Queensland .

Tim Nolevski - New South Wales Operations Manager

Tim has extensive knowledge and experience of the rail training industry within Australia. Through his work in New South Wales over the last eight years, Tim has gained a thorough understanding of the NSW rail and VET industry.

Tim has an exceptional knowledge of network training requirements and has coordinated thousands of quality, cost-effective training courses during his time at CERT. His previous experience in administration has enhanced his understanding of VET compliance, effective customer service and change management strategies.

Andrew Blower - Victorian Operations Manager

Andrew is a highly knowledgeable and skilled rail infrastructure expert. His experience on track has translated into a professional Manager who is well versed in Victorian network safeworking systems.

Andy has developed strong interpersonal skills and business acumen through his previous experience in account management and running his own business.

He has an extensive knowledge of the Victorian rail industry and is consistently informed with current, scheduled and proposed projects.  

Peter Willumsen - Training Manager SA/NT

Peter is the South Australian State Training Manager for the Centre for Excellence in Rail Training (CERT).  Peter joined CERT in 2011 starting as a Trainer and Assessor.

Peter has great knowledge and understanding of the South Australian Safeworking rules and other worker competencies required for our clients, whether it be for major network owners or government funded training programs.

Peter has a strong work ethic and facilitates strong client relationships to ensure that the best professional service is provided.

Jeff Nickson - National Rail Operations Training Specialist

Jeff Nickson has travelled Australia to provide Rail Operations Training. In his time with CERT Jeff has helped develop the Certificate IV in Train Driving program working with the RTO compliance team, with regards to creating training plans and updating student records to the Standards of the National Regulator.

During Jeff’s employment with Aurizon Coal NSW he worked as the Lead Validator, mapping the current workplace assessments against the national recognised TLI40410 (Cert IV in Transport and Logistics – Rail Operations) and completing all modifications required to align to the nationally recognised qualification. In this role Jeff monitored and recorded the feedback and comments from the validation team as well as ensuring all required documents (from an RTO perspective) were created, including marking guides, mapping of current trainers and assessors currency, and storage of the validation recordings. 

As a Tutor Driver Jeff was involved with training persons from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience. During Jeff’s four years within this position, his skills in mentoring and coaching were developed to a high professional level. Jeff also had the opportunity to deliver training via an online learning environment, for both individuals and groups. 

As a Train Driver Jeff has had extensive experience working with all cargo types; coal, grain, freight (including dangerous goods) and passenger trains. As well as comprehensive experience in shunting, testing of trains, manual handling, fatigue management, ATP and DP systems, Hazard Identification and Risk Management, Rail terminology, utilizing various communication systems, and Safe Working systems.

Richard Clark - Senior Rail Training Specialist

Richard Clark has had more than 15 years’ experience in the mining, process plant and rail operations safety and training industries. He is experienced and confident in training and rail safety management and has a strong track record in project management, the Australian Qualifications Framework and nationally accredited training packages (in particular Rail Operations).

For the last five years Richard has been working at Rio Tinto and in this role has had extensive experience in designing Training and Assessment strategies to comply and align with the business’ vision. Richard played a key role in the tactical implementation of strategies and rail safety plans, and the development of a new Rule Book. Richard has represented Rio Tinto at the National Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council forums for the development of National Qualifications and has also played a crucial role internally at Rio Tinto, mentoring officers and advising the business on training and assessment practices and strategies.

Since 2003, Richard spent time as a Trainer Assessor at Skilled Group, then to a Senior Technical Training Coordinator at Australian Railroad Group. In this role Richard was responsible for the training of operational rail staff in WA, QLD and NSW as well as developing corporate and role specific training needs analysis to meet RTO, business and individual needs. Richard is also trained to lead ICAM investigations and conduct audits.

Richard has excellent safeworking knowledge and experience on many networks in WA. He is currently compliant with all aspects of rail safety legislation

Allen Holden - Trainer/Assessor

Allen Holden is an experienced Workplace Trainer / Assessor, Specializing in Rail Infrastructure qualifications. Allen has a vast background in the Rail industry as well as being the holder of a variety of WorkCover Certificates such as Slewing Mobile Crane up to 20 Tons, Boom Type Elevated Work Platform, Forklift Truck, Front End Loader, Backhoe and Excavator with years of experience in their safe operation and has also held a Heavy Vehicle Driver’s License.

Allen is experienced in the Rail Industry and holds many current qualifications such as Protection Officer Level 1-4, Handsignalling level 1 & 2, Track Vehicle Operation, Track

Machine Operation, Track Examination, Adjust Rails, Wirefeed Welding, THERMIT Welding – SKVF, SKVF-Elite, SMWF & Widegap, RAILTECH Welding PLK-CJ AND Certificate III in Rail Infrastructure.

Besides the satisfaction Allen gets out of being able to Train people that would like to work in the Rail Industry, he loves to spend quality time with his family as well as Boating, Fishing and riding Motorcycles.

Craig Ramstadius - Trainer/Assessor

Craig Ramstadius is an experienced professional trainer accredited with the Centre for Excellence in Rail Training. Craig has been a Construction manager both in the construction industry and rail environments and collectively brings over 25 years’ experience in multi-disciplined areas of construction and transport infrastructure projects. Craig has worked indirectly with the TAFE education system for over 12 years as a facilitator a mentor for many community projects and team development programmes. Craig dedication to team development has taken him across the world to assist in competitive team performance, Craig will provide sound understanding and expertise in all facets of rail infrastructure specialising in team development for the Resurfacing sector of rail. Craig has a thorough knowledge of contractor development and growth.

Craig also has extensive experience in Safeworking areas such as Rail Industry Safety Induction, worksite safety induction (onsite) and safe work practices and PO 1, 2,3and Handsignalling Levels 1 & 2. Track resurfacing experience, supervisory, survey, truck and hiab qualifications.

Craig Butcher - Trainer/Assessor

Craig has been involved in the mining and construction industry for the past 25 years. Craig has worked in a number of roles, including managing his own successful business, he now fills a variety of training and assessment roles within CERT.

Craig holds many Worksafe Certificates and is an authorised High Risk Work Assessor in Slewing Mobile Crane up to 60 Tonnes(which includes CV,CN,C2,C6), Boom Type Elevated Work Platform (WP), Forklift Truck (LF), Dogging (DG) and Rigging Basic (RB).

Craig has years of experience in all of the areas above as well as training and assessment on a variety of earth moving machines. This includes Front End Loader, Backhoe, Excavator, Skid Steer Loader, Rollers and tele-handler as well as a MC Driver’s Licence.

Len Gibbs - Trainer/Assessor

Len offers over 29 years’ experience in the Australian resources sector and specifically 14 years’ in learning and development. Managing a training system and people in a fast-paced and complex environment across multiple disciplines, he has extensive knowledge of Mine, Rail and Port operations.

Len has strong knowledge and understanding of legislative/statutory standards and requirements for training in the resources sector. He has been heavily involved in the design, development and delivery of sustainable and flexible training solutions to meet the requirements of industry.