NECA has announced the 2020 Trade Teacher of the Year, awarding Western Australia local Tyson Alder, an instructor from the College of Electrical Training in Western Australia.

He was chosen as the winner by a judging panel of electrotechnology industry exports for his work an innovative teaching practices which equip the next generation of skilled electricians.

NECA chief executive Oliver Judd says: “The commitment of trade teachers to the future of our industry is displayed through setting the highest of standards. I extend my warmest congratulations on behalf of NECA and our industry to Tyson.”

NECA WA branch secretary Carl Copeland adds that he’s extremely proud of all the state’s educators and that Tyson represents everything NECA strives for when educating the next generation.

“His ability to adapt to what was a very difficult 2020 and his obvious intense care for the education of his students and fellow instructors makes him the perfect candidate for this national award,” Carl says.

“During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic Tyson re-invented the way in which students were taught, by digitising the workshop environment and began a program assisting ‘at risk’ students. This unique approach allowed students to continue to get hands on and safe practical experience while studying from home. His innovations ensured our largest ever cohort of pre-apprentices achieved a 100% completion rate.”

As of earlier this year there had been 25,631 applications to enrol in skills training in WA, an increase of 43% since this time last year.