KKTC Education brings together trainers from across Australia every year for our annual conference. This year the theme of the conference was all about wellbeing and ensuring we continue as a collective team to have the energy and drive to deliver excellence in training. We can only do this if we look after mind, body and soul.
In the fast-paced world of vocational education, it’s easy to focus on outcomes—qualifications, job placements, funding metrics. But at KKTC Education, something deeper pulses beneath the surface. It’s not just about training educators; it’s about shaping hearts, minds, and futures.
At the heart of KKTC’s philosophy is our sense of purpose and these transcend curriculum:
- Respect for the child, the learner, and the profession.
- Integrity in training delivery and assessment.
- Empowerment through workplace-based learning that builds confidence and competence.
- Connection—to trainees, centres, and the broader ECEC sector.
This ‘array of purpose’ is lived daily through mentoring visits, personalised support, and the ‘WOW’ moments KKTC strives to deliver in every interaction.
At this years’ annual conference our CEO and Managing Director Sam Hendry asked the team to workshop what they believe is the ‘soul of KKTC.’
After a brainstorming session a long list returned with central themes including – our students, our trainers, our centres, our relationships, our friendships, our passion to do more / do better and the joy we see when a training journey achieves the goals we set from day one.
Sam believes that KKTC’s trainers are more than assessors—they’re the actual ‘soul carriers.’
“Our team of Trainers and Assessors across Australia from far north in Cairns to South East in Adelaide (and many places in between) are in childcare centres every 3-4 weeks coaching trainees and students, building relationships with all stakeholders in centres, offering guidance, and modelling the very values they teach. Their commitment is visible in the way they adapt to student needs, celebrate progress, and foster a sense of belonging.”
“They really are the soul carriers.”
Furthermore, KKTC’s soul is also reflected in its community engagement—from supporting secondary schools across many States to commence careers in the sector to helping that young mum return to work with confidence and purpose or support a new entrant navigate funding eligibility to remove cost barriers to get into the workforce, KKTC’s culture is one of inclusion and care.
Sam added “This year’s conference and many of the initiatives that came out of it including a new Leadership Wellbeing Development Program, team wide involvement and support for the One Foot Forward – Walk for Mental Health initiative and an organisation wide Employee Assistance Program are evidence of our commitment to holistic well being and nurturing the ‘soul’ of KKTC.”
“Our team discussions, presentations and workshops guided us toward renewed clarity and alignment on what really matters and I firmly believe it is our collective happiness and care for one another that matters. Happy and fulfilled KKTC team members nurture the ‘soul’ of KKTC.”
“We’re talking about a living, breathing commitment to excellence, empathy, connection and empowerment. And that’s something worth celebrating,” Sam concluded.
In a sector that educates the educators of our most precious national asset – our children… soul matters.
It’s what turns training into transformation.
