From starting his career as an engineering apprentice in England to later being headhunted to fix manufacturing companies in Australia, Neil has established himself as a sought-after expert in the engineering field. With a strong work ethic and a drive to succeed, Neil is always looking for opportunities to improve and grow, so when a friend suggested Neil would be good at teaching, he took on the challenge.

Transitioning into teaching was a pivotal moment for Neil, one that allowed him to design and grow Chisholm’s CNC program from the ground up into the strong, industry‑connected program it is today.

Neil is deeply committed to his students’ success.  He begins each session with collaborative discussions about their workplace projects, ensuring learning remains practical, relevant and engaging. He begins each session with collaborative discussions about students’ workplace projects, ensuring learning remains practical, relevant and engaging.

Neil encourages students to follow their own line of inquiry and share their insights with the class. He offers feedback to motivate learners and makes complex concepts clear, which his students appreciate

Neil’s impact extends far beyond teaching. He played a key role in delivering a $1.95 million CNC project, demonstrating his ability to exceed expectations and deliver results on large-scale projects. He also collaborated with Frankston Tech School to design specialised moulds for new machinery, contributing to innovation across the VET sector.

Neil regularly visits industry partners to maintain his professional relationships and ensure Chisholm’s CNC program remains aligned with current industry needs. His efforts have positioned the program at the cutting edge.

Looking ahead, he intends to continue strengthening industry partnerships, ensuring all engineering staff remain up to date with emerging CNC practices. He is also furthering his own studies to ensure his teaching reflects the latest standards and innovations.

Neil is a finalist in the 2026 Chisholm Education Awards – Educator of the Year.

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