From Apprentice to Track Manager - Wodonga TAFE student Travis Cook finds success in Sports Turf Management

Friday, 2 August 2024

Wodonga TAFE student and apprentice Travis Cook is applying what he's learnt in real time, after becoming Track Manager at Benalla Racing Club at the start of June 2024.

Travis has been completing his Certificate III in Sports Turf Management as part of an apprenticeship program and considers himself lucky to have advanced to a management role at such an early stage of his career.

"One week of the month I'm working and studying at the same time, so I'm getting phone calls from horse trainers asking questions, but we are making it work." - Travis Cook on balancing his new role as a track manager with the remainder of his studies.

Travis' story is the perfect example of what's to gain when young students engage in Vocational Education and Training. Not only do they gain the knowledge, but they also gain access to an everlasting network who can help navigate them through industry.

In Travis' case, he now considers his teachers as peers, who he plans to keep in contact with well after his studies.

"I've had a lot of teachers during my apprenticeship studies, just from that alone there's a lot of people to network off and talk to. One of my teachers Dave rang me when I first got the job and said Well done. Everyone is just very nice which makes you feel comfortable in the job, it helps a lot"

He also praised current Wodonga TAFE teacher Gary Smith for allowing a flexible schedule while he juggles the new role and completion of his studies.

"Gary has been great about it, he said now that I'm in charge of it all (Benalla Racing Club), I can be flexible in completing the work, and if I need to take an urgent phone call I can step outside of class - he's pretty good about it"

Graham Hart is Executive Director for Education & Training at Wodonga TAFE and applauded the success of Travis and his apprenticeship program, stating it's a reflection of Wodonga TAFE and its passion to deliver real world education across various industries.

“It’s fantastic to see the apprenticeship programs leading to such successful outcomes, it also gives our educators the chance to pass on real-world knowledge and experience within their teachings” - Graham Hart - Executive Director for Education & Training at Wodonga TAFE

Although he is still yet to complete his own apprenticeship, Travis now mentors his own apprentice at Benalla Racing Club and can provide support on how to handle both the work and study load required to be successful in Sports Turf Management.

"You’ve got to rip in and get it done, I've been giving him ideas on how I did it, and some ways to approach it. The teachers give you a lot of ways to learn as well, which is good."

Travis will officially complete his studies with Wodonga TAFE later this year.