From the moment he completed his apprenticeship, Jackson Burchell knew that adult education would be the lever that helped him move forward.
Now in his late twenties, Jackson has completed three nationally recognised qualifications through Time Education & Training while building a decade-long career with Toyota. Along the way, he’s stepped into leadership roles, mentored apprentices, managed major client operations and built the confidence to pursue his next ambitious goal: becoming a secondary school teacher.
Setting up for success in his twenties
Jackson began his career straight out of school, completing a heavy vehicle mechanical apprenticeship with Toyota. Within a year of qualifying, he was offered a team leader role, a move that came with responsibility well beyond his years.
‘I was pretty fresh out of my apprenticeship,’ Jackson explains. ‘I wanted to make sure I actually had the skills to lead people properly, not just the title.’
That motivation led him to enrol in his first qualification with Time Education & Training: the Certificate IV in Leadership and Management. He followed this with a Certificate IV in Business and then the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, creating a clear, structured pathway for his professional growth.
‘Coming into my 20s, I said this is the time to apply myself and actually try to learn some skills for a long career in the future. So, it’s exactly what I achieved through the three qualifications and the setup of the plan I wanted to achieve.’
Following the recommendations
While Toyota supported Jackson’s study, choosing the training provider was up to him. After researching multiple adult education options, Time Education & Training stood out.
‘Every recommendation kept coming back to Time Education & Training,’ he says. ‘And what really mattered to me was face-to-face learning. I wanted to be able to ask questions, speak to trainers directly and learn from people who’d actually been there and done it.’
That practical, in-person approach made a difference. Jackson describes the facilitators as experienced professionals who brought real-world context into the classroom, rather than simply working through a textbook.
Relevant training
As Jackson moved into leadership and field service controller roles, the relevance of his training became clear. Managing teams of up to ten technicians and later overseeing around twenty mechanics across regional South Australia required more than technical expertise.
‘The leadership course helped me understand that everyone works differently,’ he says. ‘Some people are fast but need support with knowledge. Others might be slower but incredibly experienced. Learning how to adapt your approach makes all the difference.’
The Certificate IV in Business supported Jackson in managing reporting, client relationships and operational decision-making, particularly while overseeing Toyota’s operations for a major distribution customer. Meanwhile, the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment gave him the tools to identify skills gaps, mentor apprentices and pass knowledge on effectively across the business.
Out of his comfort zone
One of the biggest shifts Jackson noticed wasn’t just in his skillset but in his confidence. Jackson says the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment played a pivotal role in building his confidence, particularly when it came to speaking in front of groups.
‘At the start, speaking up in a room full of adults was nerve-wracking,’ he admits. ‘But over time, you realise everyone’s there for the same reason. The trainers really encourage questions, and that makes a huge difference.
I always had teaching or facilitation in the back of my mind,’ he explains. ‘But the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment really pushed me to step into that space properly. You’re not just learning theory. You’re standing up, presenting, training others, and running sessions like you would in a real learning environment.’
At first, the experience was nerve-wracking. Presenting to peers and later delivering career-day talks to rooms of more than 100 students forced Jackson well outside his comfort zone. That confidence now feels embedded and it’s a skill Jackson knows will be invaluable as he transitions into secondary teaching. The ability to communicate clearly, engage an audience, and lead a room isn’t something he had naturally. It’s something he built through structured practice, support, and real-world application during his time with us.
Those skills extended beyond the workplace, supporting his volunteer work with The Smith Family and his growing interest in education and youth pathways by creating a resource called Take That Step to help students start their learning journey. In 2023, 2024 and 2025, Jackson was a Vocational Student of the Year finalist.
The next chapter
Today, Jackson has returned to hands-on mechanical work while planning his next chapter. He has accepted an offer to study secondary teaching with the long-term goal of supporting vocational pathways for students who thrive through practical learning.
‘I didn’t get an ATAR,’ he says. ‘And I want young people to know there are other ways to build a successful career. The qualifications I completed at Time Education & Training gave me the confidence to take this next step.’
Advice for future students
For anyone considering studying, Jackson’s advice is simple.
‘If you’re motivated and willing to put in the work, Time Education & Training gives you the foundation. You’re not treated like a number. The support is real and the learning actually applies directly to your job.’
His journey is a clear example of how targeted training, delivered by experienced facilitators, can open doors far beyond the classroom. When you undertake a qualification with Time Education & Training, you can be assured that you will receive quality training and that you will develop the skills and knowledge you need to apply what you learn into the workplace.
