Graduate Spotlight: Daniel Attard – Enhancing Learning and Development in Public Administration

“Start immediately. If I had started earlier, I wouldn’t have needed the extensions. Also, buddy up with someone from your workplace if you can—it really helps. And don’t hesitate to reach out for support, even if it’s for something you think is minor. Plenty’s student services team is quick to help. Lastly, keep a calendar of key dates to stay on top of things.”

Meet Daniel Attard, a Learning and Development Coordinator working in the government sector, who decided to take his career to the next level by completing the TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment with Plenty Training. Daniel’s background in IT and administration has given him a strong foundation, but his motivation to continue growing within the Public Administration and Safety industry pushed him to formalise his training skills.

Reflecting on his decision to enrol, Daniel shares: “I was overseeing a lot of non-accredited training without the qualification, so it was part of my professional development to formalise my skills. My goal is to move into instructional design, which is particularly relevant as we continue to develop and deliver compliance training in government.”

One of the standout moments during Daniel’s studies was the delivery workshop. “Coming down to Melbourne from regional Victoria and meeting other students was invaluable. We bonded as a group, and I even connected with some of them on LinkedIn. The group size was perfect, just seven of us, which made the experience very enjoyable and collaborative.”

The support from the Plenty Training team, particularly trainer Kenny Robertson, played a significant role in Daniel’s learning journey. “Kenny’s approach was different from other trainers I’d encountered—he was very direct and to the point. At first, it took me by surprise, but I quickly came to appreciate his straightforward style. He made sure we understood the material and was always available to help, with a quick turnaround on assessments. You could tell he took real pride in his teaching and the success of his students.”

Balancing a busy work life with studies proved challenging for Daniel. “Self-motivation was hard, especially since work was so busy at the time.” A technical issue also threw a curveball when he lost several completed assessment workbooks due to a government system swap-over. “I thought I’d have to redo the delivery portion, but Kenny reassured me to focus on the workbooks and we’d discuss what needed refining. It was tough, but I had to relearn how to learn, fighting my habit of striving for 205% perfection.”

Since completing his qualification, Daniel has excelled in his role, overseeing the training of hundreds of staff members and managing a learning management system within his organisation. His skills in assessment design and training delivery have been invaluable in his work, which includes the coordination of compliance-based programs such as first aid and CPR.

Looking ahead, Daniel plans to transition into instructional design, a field that is increasingly important in ensuring effective training and compliance in government roles. His advice for those considering the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment is simple: “Start immediately. If I had started earlier, I wouldn’t have needed the extensions. Also, buddy up with someone from your workplace if you can—it really helps. And don’t hesitate to reach out for support, even if it’s for something you think is minor. Plenty’s student services team is quick to help. Lastly, keep a calendar of key dates to stay on top of things.”

Daniel’s journey is a powerful example of how investing in your own education can lead to meaningful career progression, especially in sectors where training and compliance play crucial roles in ensuring public safety and efficiency.