Leigh Harris
Giving back to an industry which he loves, through teaching, is what makes Leigh Harris tick. His fascination with engineering comes from an inherent need to understand how things work and how they are built. It is this passion for enlightenment that is behind his philosophy to teach.
“When students understand something you are trying to explain to them, they can use that knowledge and develop their own career,” Leigh said.
“My job is to give them the opportunity and skills to gain employment in the industry I love,” Leigh said.
For Leigh, it is critical that people in the industry keep their skills current and relevant. Engineering, he says, is a constantly changing sector that needs to keep up with technological, as well as societal changes and trends.
That is one of the reasons Leigh introduced a third year level three apprentice stream in Mechatronics.
While Mechatronics has been around for 10 years in Asia, the Australian private sector had some reservations about it and there was some trepidation to taking it on as combined trades.
So Leigh and his colleagues decided to teach it at the apprenticeship level and joined forces with Engineers Australia. It was successful and it was decided to teach it at the pre-apprentice level as well.
This enabled Chisholm to align itself with new and emerging technologies which is where the engineering sector is heading.
“This new stream gives apprentices another option as to which career path they can follow,” Leigh said.
A vital factor in today’s innovative and ever expanding technological advances where young people need to be more technically aware and confident to tackle complex challenges.
The course also responded to industry needs by providing apprentices with base skills, but also an introduction to higher skills.
“Industry was struggling to get people with these skills to even apply for jobs, but by giving our students even a little training where they were exposed to these new and emerging technologies, then hopefully they will have the confidence to at least go for it,” Leigh said.
Another achievement Leigh is proud of is he developed and ran a 10 week course which afforded Year 10 students the opportunity to try their hand at engineering.
Leigh believes this is one way he can make a difference and better an industry that has given him so many opportunities in his career, as well as young people a chance.
Leigh was a Marine Technician in the Royal Australian Navy for four years. He then worked in the maintenance fitter industry for 10 years before becoming a teacher at Chisholm, which he has been doing for the past seven years.
Currently he consults and trains for Chisholm both on campus and out in industry and he is the Secretary of the VET Senate. This organisation keeps him in contact with all Victorian TAFE Engineering Departments which he says is great for networking.
In his role at Chisholm he also advised, helps and directs people with job opportunities.
Outside his teaching interests, Leigh enjoys sailing, junior football and looking after his family.
Chisholm has a wide range of courses delivered by friendly and supportive trainers who offer assistance and advice as people move along their chosen career paths. Chisholm trainers have vast current industry experience and connections.
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