Fed teacher reaches award final

FEDERATION TAFE technology teacher, Dr Adam Bignold, has been named as a finalist for teacher/trainer of the year at the Victorian Training Awards.

Dr Bignold was nominated for his changes to Federation TAFE’s Certificate IV in Cyber Security to better support neurodiverse and mature age students.

He has previously named the 2024 teacher/trainer of the year at the Federation TAFE awards for excellence.

“I have worked hard to create a course that meets the diverse needs of our community and I’m thrilled to be a finalist for the VTA teacher/trainer of the year,” said Dr Bignold.

“It’s a huge honour and really shows the hard work and dedication of our students and team.”

Since Dr Bignold’s changes to the course, student retention has increased and the number of female students studying cybersecurity at Federation has doubled.

“The highlight of 2023 was undoubtedly our all-female student team winning the international hacking competition,” he said.

“Information Technology is a rapidly evolving industry, and we need students that can solve the problems of today and tomorrow which is why, in my classroom, I’m training hackers.

“Hackers see problems as challenges to overcome and find the joy in trying solution after solution until they find one that works.”

Award winners will be announced at gala dinner at The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 30 August.