Staff profile: Meet Beth Robinson

What is your favourite aspect of working in the Training Design and Development team? 

Making learning resources more interactive for volunteers and training systems efficient for instructors.  

What’s the most interesting project you've worked on at CFA? 

General Firefighter was a love/hate relationship because of how big and important the course is. I have really enjoyed developing the XVR simulations for the new crew leader skills maintenance course that we are currently working on. Employ personal protection was also fun because Wonthaggi HAZMAT invited us to film them during a HAZMAT training exercise, donning gas and splash suits. I enjoy any project that gets me out of HQ and into brigades so I can speak with volunteers and learn what works for them.  

What is your background? 

Before working with CFA I worked as a Trainer and Assessor at Box Hill Institute teaching a Cert IV in Outdoor Leadership. It was a fun job teaching bushwalking, search and rescue, mountain biking, skiing and whitewater rafting but after 10 years of living mostly from a tent, I thought it was time for a more stable (and warm) career. So I completed a Diploma in Vocational Education and Training and an Educational Design degree. The cohorts that I instructed at Box Hill were very similar to CFA volunteers being hands on, practical learners and I keep this in the forefront of my mind when designing CFA courses. 

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone new joining the team? 

Volunteer if you can! It gives us in training, extra insight into the courses that we develop. And as a volunteer we still have to complete CFA courses so it's even more of an incentive to make them engaging.  

What’s your favourite way to unwind after a long day at work?  

At the gym or spending time with my two dogs at home. (until the pager goes off of course!)