Meet your award-winning team
Shaaron James
Manager
I’ve been here since ‘the beginning’, and work with everyone – schools, training providers, industry, students and staff – to make sure the academy runs smoothly. Partnership in education is what we are all about, with 17 secondary schools and 3 tertiary partners all working together in our region to offer amazing opportunities for all our students!
It was certainly a ‘baptism of fire’ to get the academy going for our opening day on the 2nd of March 2012! Now it’s going from strength to strength – with over 380 students in 2016 across 7 training sites and 15+ programmes on offer.
I grew up in this region, went to training college and later studied business and management. I ran my own industry training company, while also contracting to Tasman Makos for a number of years. My diverse experience is the perfect mix for leading the academy’s direction and development. I understand educational needs, and what motivates and excites our students but also understand what employers are looking for.
I’m passionate about education and what the future holds for students who are part of the academy!
Carolyn Pudney
Marlborough Representative
I am the Marlborough face of the ‘Top of the South Trades Academy. I have a background as an administrator in the education sector having held various roles in a local secondary school.
It is a pleasure to be involved with the Trades Academy programme, seeing our Marlborough students participating in the classes, where they are actively engaged in their learning, gaining skills and confidence, being creative and taking their first steps into a future career.
I look forward to seeing Trades Academy continue to grow and meet the needs of the students in our region.
Vicki Seager
Administration
I am the behind the scenes member of the TOTSTA team. Providing various part time administration support, my primary focus is fulfilling our roll reporting obligations to the Ministry of Education.
I come from a scientific background in aquaculture & animal nutrition. I first got involved in the educational sector 23 years ago when I had opportunities to share the passion of the work I was doing with tertiary students at NMIT. When I left full-time work to raise my family, I took the opportunity to get more involved in the education sector, working for a private training company providing workplace training for aquaculture and seafood employees. I still maintain an active role here, helping to ensure the provision of quality tertiary & workplace education. This workplace perspective highlights for me the important role secondary education has in preparing our young people for employment in primary industries.
Secondary education was new to me when I got the opportunity to work part time with TOTSTA 4 years ago. As a mum of 3 primary children who show vastly different educational strengths and needs, I am keenly aware that school systems do not necessarily suit all children equally. I could see that the Top of the South Trades Academy was an important addition to schools providing different learning opportunities, and a real chance for some students to find their passion & succeed within the school system.
I am proud to be part of the Trades Academy team, building something that is a real benefit to secondary students and will be there, as an option, for my own children in the next couple of years.