Getting Qualified

Lorrae O’Brien has been involved in the Creative Industries since the early 1980s and is currently the Head Teacher of Creative Industries at Kempsey, Port Macquarie and Wauchope TAFE Campuses.

She knows the importance of getting qualified!

“I originally trained as a lettering artist working in design studios in Sydney. My association with TAFE began as a visual arts student in Newcastle after leaving the Sydney workforce to start a family,” Ms O’Brien said.

“As fate would have it, I was asked to start teaching the inaugural graphic design course because of my industry experience. I moved to the Mid North Coast 15 years ago and now I’m working as a Head Teacher for three TAFE Campuses.”

Lorrae has a Bachelor degree in Visual Arts and Communication, and believes it is important for creative people to continuously challenge themselves.

“At the core of the creative process is the ability to be a creative problem solver, find unique solutions, show attention to detail, be experimental and constantly question. Keeping up with changing technologies is so important in our industry,” Ms O’Brien said.

Lorrae will be presenting at the Creative Industries Forum – Business of Being Creative in Kempsey on Tuesday 24 May. She is a strong advocate for gaining formal qualifications and will be speaking on her 20-year experience with North Coast TAFE and some new courses for creatives TAFE are running in June.

“With study, I’ve seen an ongoing capacity for people to grow creatively, develop specialised technical, conceptual, critical thinking and analytical skills, experience a great deal of satisfaction and confidence, as well develop strong industry connections,” she said.

“But one of the real benefits of gaining a qualification, is that it adds an extra level of achievement, a benchmark that is highly valued by the individual, recognised in the community and by industry.”

To find out more information about the Forum visit: www.etcltd.com.au/creativeindustriesforum or contact Marilyn Breen, ETC Business Advisor, Kempsey on 0417 201 794 or Kevin Riddell, Business Programs Manager in Coffs Harbour on 0408 128 496.