Introducing Blair: Empowering Communities and Changing Lives
What is your role at Tenancy Skills Institute, how long have you worked here and what does your work entail?
Training and Community Engagement Officer – I started at Tenancy Skills 1st February 2019 with the position of Trainer and over the years my role has progressed to include not only presenting training, reviewing and marking assessments, course content creation but networking with community organisations, schools and other organisations to run the Tenancy Skills course for their students/participants.
Before working at Tenancy Skills Institute, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had? Or what was your first paying job?
I have done a few jobs over the years – my first ever job at 16 years old was at Withcott seedlings (A plant Nursery) in wash bay – Sterilising the seed trays
What do you like most about working at Tenancy Skills Institute?
The team at Tenancy skills as a whole is very balanced – every person is valued for the different skills that they bring to the table and utilised accordingly. This ensures we can give back to the community and shows in the work we do day to day – and is why we are able to achieve the outcomes we see from the Tenancy Skills training and receive the awesome feedback and life changing stories from what we do.
What advice do you have for the people you work with?
Keep on, keeping on.
What was your experience in the housing industry before working at Tenancy Skills Institute?
I started in property management in my early 20’s as a property management assistant, then a property manager before moving across to Business development manager.
Why is it important for tenants and prospective tenants to have the skills covered in the program?
As a tenant for many years myself I experienced a variety of situations that could have ended poorly if I hadn’t had the industry knowledge I had. If I hadn’t had that experience, I would have had no clue how to navigate my Tenancy. As a tenant it is so important to know your Rights and Responsibilities when it comes to renting – or where to go if you need additional support in your tenancy. Knowledge applied truly is power.
What is your hidden talent or hobby we might be surprised about?
Not so hidden – but my love for CrossFit and my chooks
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received from a student?
I think the best compliment I have had from students is when students contact us a few months after completing the Tenancy Skills Course and let us know they have housing, or they resolved their tenancy issues from what they learnt in the course. This is by far the best compliment you can receive as a trainer – to know what we teach works! Knowledge truly is power!