Vocational Education & Training
Meet some of our VETDSS Trainers...
Behind every successful VETDSS program is a passionate trainer who brings industry experience, practical knowledge, and a commitment to student success into the classroom. Here at Nazareth, our VET trainers play a vital role in helping students develop real-world skills while exploring potential career pathways.
In this interview series, we shine a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who guide, mentor, and inspire our students every day. We asked our trainers to share a little about themselves, their industry background, and what they love most about teaching the next generation of skilled workers.
Mr Mitchel Berryman
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become a VETDSS teacher at Nazareth?
Taking VET Business was an excellent opportunity for me to stretch and grow myself while I was still undertaking my Master of Teaching to become a secondary teacher. The resources from IVET and the support from the College gave me a great launch into my teaching career and I'm so lucky to have been given the opportunity to start at this level.
Can you briefly explain what students learn in your VETDSS class?
I teach both VET Business (Year 2) and VET Information Technology (Year 1). In VET Business, students learn real-world, industry skills, on how to operate in a business or administration setting. We learn about things you wouldn't really think about but are crucial for understanding in the workplace. I often mention the things we learn in VET Business are the things people learn the hard way in the real world. VET Information Technology is a new subject at Nazareth College this year, so we're all just working it out! So far, we've learnt how to coordinate teams of people, now we're learning about how to operate, maintain, and install hardware and software on computers. We're really excited about what's to come in this subject.
What do you enjoy most about teaching students in your VETDSS class?
I'm really lucky - in both of my classes, my students are absolutely lovely. While the four-hours classes can be tough, the vigour my students bring to their class outmatch the length. We have lots of fun working together, ploughing through the content, asking interesting questions, and connecting with real-world examples.
How does this course help students prepare for further study, apprenticeships, or employment?
Students who undertake VET Business will find the course prepares them for standard operation in the business world. This means, they’ll be fully prepared to take business university courses with the background knowledge they’ll need. VET Information Technology teaches you the assumed stuff they think you know in university. At university, they’ll think you’ll already understand the ins-and-outs of a computer, from operating systems to hardware. This course gets you over-the-line so you’ll be ready for whatever they throw at you.
What career pathways can this course lead to for students?
Students who enrol themselves in the VET Business course will find themselves with the awareness they need to operate in any junior business role. This would include anything from data-entry clerks, receptionists, assistants, or standard office workers. This course offers fantastic skills that any person hiring for these junior positions will be attracted to. VET Information Technology will give students the skills to jump into their first ICT Technician role – the very first step for into the ICT Industry. You’ll learn how a standard ICT team operates within an organisation and how to work within a team of ICT professionals. This course will have students ready for anything that might come through that Helpdesk window.
What is your favourite Movie?
Pirate of the Caribbean: At World's End - Barbossa is just too good.
What is your go-to coffee order or favourite snack during a long teaching day?
I've been known to down entire boxes of Favourites in record time.
If your VETDSS class had a theme song, what would it be?
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 | Song by Pink Floyd 1979
What’s a hidden talent or fun fact about you that students might not know?
I held a Mario Kart world record in 2010 (Koopa Cape, Wii)
Ms Kathleen Taura
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become a VETDSS teacher at Nazareth?
Dance has always been a part of my life. So its just a natural progression to becoming a VET Dance teacher here at Nazareth.
Can you briefly explain what students learn in your VETDSS class?
Students in the VCE VET Dance (Certificate II in Dance) course develop practical skills in a range of dance styles while building technique, coordination, performance confidence and safe dance practices. The course also helps prepare students for future pathways in dance, including developing the skills and experience needed for audition processes should they wish to pursue dance beyond secondary school.
What do you enjoy most about teaching students in your VETDSS class?
I enjoy watching them come up with their own group dances. Its fascinating to see lots of different styles of choreography come together to make a singular performance. I also love that they are able to make new connections or friends as often we have external students join us here at Nazareth.
How does this course help students prepare for further study, apprenticeships, or employment?
As I mentioned before the VET course prepares them for the audition process (what to organise, how to present yourself) and it gives them a real life experience of doing an audition - dancing in a room full of people they don't know, learning and performing choreography that they have never seen. It's a real challenge for them.
What career pathways can this course lead to for students?
Many full time dance schools offer Cert 3 and 4 - so it can be a direct pathway in to it.
What is your favourite Movie?
I have many! I will wear my Japanese teacher hat and say "My Neighbour Totoro"
What is your go-to coffee order or favourite snack during a long teaching day?Single line text.
"Full fat" Coke (and lately I have been in to Sweet and Sour Pythons).
If your VETDSS class had a theme song, what would it be?
"Mantra" by JENNIE
What’s a hidden talent or fun fact about you that students might not know?
I was born in Hawaii.
Ms Natalie Stevens
Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become a VETDSS teacher at Nazareth?
Inspiring Training Academy and Nazareth College became training partners back in 2024 delivering Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics and Certificate II in Salon Assistant. Since 2024 where we had a total of approximately 15 student in 2026 Nazareth College has grown to 50 students over 4 different classes learning Beauty Therapy, Hairdressing and Barbering.
Can you briefly explain what students learn in your VETDSS class?
In Certificate III in Beauty Services student achieve units such as - makeup, manicure and pedicare, waxing, lash lifting, eyebrow waxing and tinting.
Certificate II in Salon Assistant -Hairdressing this is a pre apprenticeship level giving students everything they need to enter into a hair salon and begin a hairdressing apprenticeship. Practical skills are hair washing and basin services, blow drying and hair braiding.
Certificate II in Salon Assistant - Barbering. Similar to the Hairdressing course but a pure focus on the Barbering industry.
What do you enjoy most about teaching students in your VETDSS class?
I love training VETDSS students, they are fun, excited and eager to learn, working in VET they are learning something that they themselves have chosen to learn so our attendance rates are high, class participation is high and the students overall enjoy the classes, so then I do as their trainer.
How does this course help students prepare for further study, apprenticeships, or employment?
At the completion of these courses our students can move straight into employment of when they leave school, they can upskill into higher qualifications depending on their career pathways.
What is your favourite movie?
Pretty Woman
What is your go-to coffee order or favourite snack during a long teaching day?
Small hot latte - yes I am that person!
If your VETDSS class had a theme song, what would it be?
Run the World - Beyonce, as the song is about empowering future beauty bosses.
What’s a hidden talent or fun fact about you that students might not know?
I don't have any hidden talents, I show everyone and don't keep them hidden.
Ms Naomi Pernar
VET & Careers Practitioner
Learning Support