ChemCert Staff

Mark Kunnen utilises his years of leadership, planning and direction throughout varying industries to sustain ChemCert’s growth within the framework of long term goals and plans of the Registered Training Organisation. Mark has a keen interest in raising the standards of Chemical Safety Training and has worked closely with ChemCert’s Internal Auditor, Course Developer and  Head Trainer in addition to continually benchmarking with other RTO’s, to ensure that Chemical Training Programs are compliant and well structured.

Marks commercial acumen, outstanding knowledge of the VET sector and AQTF guidelines combined with his sales and advocacy skills allow for him to continually seek new opportunities for ChemCert to grow and compete in an ever changing industry. Having completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Management from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, Mark is extremely proficient and strong minded leader of the Organisation and in the wider industry and community.

Marks dedication and passion to upholding ChemCert’s reputation and standing in the Industry and ensuring that the company continues to be a success cascades through the entire operational team and is paramount in the growth ChemCert has achieved in the past years.  His diverse background and management experience in the transport and tourism sectors combined with strong hands on business skills contributes to the effective and efficient operation of the organisation.

In addition to his professional roles, Mark has held a variety of voluntary and elected positions including at the Christchurch City Council, Automobile Association New Zealand, Environment Guardianship Trustee of the Dean’s Bush and Riccarton Trust (Canterbury’s first European settlement in the South Island) and Riccarton Business Association. Mark’s other interests include small game hunting, squash and mountain biking, home renovations/ improvement, cooking and gardening.

Jonathan joined ChemCert Training Group as a Course Developer in December 2009. Since joining ChemCert Jonathan has utilised his years of research, liaising with industry representatives and technical acumen to redevelop the ChemCert Training Manual. In order to gain hands on understanding of the content, how it is delivered and the key issues that are involved, Jonathan trains courses in and around NSW and Queensland.

He has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from Lincoln University in Christchurch, New Zealand and a Graduate Diploma in Management from Otago University in Dunedin, New Zealand.

Jonathan has worked as a Technical Advisor at Silvan Australia in the Business Development and Technical Sales department. In this position he provided high level specialised Technical Knowledge to deliver and manage spray operations.

Jonathon’s interests include tennis, cricket, bushwalking and home renovation.

As Head Trainer Alan collaborates with trainers, searches for new innovative approaches to training and is the key contact for trainers providing a benchmark for them to follow. Alan has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agriculture from Charles Sturt University and an Associate Diploma in Agriculture from the Riverina Murray Institute of Higher Education.

He has a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training (TAA 40104) and has also completed TAFE courses in Agricultural Studies and in Sheep, Wool and Fibre Studies. Alan brings to his role the experience of being a farmer for over thirty years at Borambola, NSW. Alan has also taught both theoretical and practical courses at TAFE as a course supervisor, up to and including diploma level.

Alan has held numerous positions at the NSW Farmers Association including being their Vice President, a Board Member, and an Executive Councillor and the Chairperson of their Rural Affairs Committee. Alan also chaired the NSW Farmers Association’s advisory Committee on Agricultural Chemicals. Alan has served on a variety of State and Federal Government committees as a representative of the NSW Farmers Association. In 2010 Alan was awarded a Medal of Honour from the NSW Farmers Association for Services to the Association. 

Alan has also served as a Member of the Pesticides Act Implementation Committee and was a Member of the Selection Panel for the Board of Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.  Alan is also a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service and is currently the Group Captain and Brigade Captain of the Rural Fire Service in the Riverina Zone. Alan is currently the Deputy Mayor of Wagga Wagga City Council and is the Chair of the Infrastructure Committee.

Anne Phillips
Internal VET Officer
(BA, M Ed)

Anne is ChemCert’s Internal Auditor; in this role Anne provides key information and advice to the organisation to ensure that the RTO is compliant.  Anne has the responsibility of ensuring that all ChemCert’s documents, policies and procedures continue to meet the Vocational Educational and Training Accreditation Board and Australian Quality Training Framework 2010 requirements.

Anne has a Masters in Education, Bachelor of Arts, and a Graduate Diploma in Adult Education. Anne also has a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training; Certificate of Accreditation in the Facilitator training program Guided Self-Assessment Methodology (Australian Quality Council) and Certificate of Achievement Internal Quality Auditor Training ETRS. 

She is also an avid traveller, Anne travels most years to Asia as an Australian Business Volunteer working with the local community and staff in l Community Learning centres; some of her experiences include working in countries such as Laos, Indonesia and Philippines. In her home town of Port Macquarie she is actively involved in a number of community groups. She also enjoys gardening.

Dean Rutledge

Aishwarya Bakshi
IT Consultant
(MS SE, M PHIL)

Jaishil is ChemCert’s Company Accountant. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration from overseas and a Masters in Accounting from the University of Western Sydney. In his Masters, he specialised in corporate accounting, Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) standards and tax implications for not for profit organisations. Jaishil liases with trainers and the enrolment centre for course processing which includes the processing course enrolment forms, course manuals, post-course administration. He also reports to the Chief Executive Officer about the progress and growth of the company, which involves keeping track of accredited students, completed courses and projections for the future.

Jaishil is also responsible the ChemCert’s accounts which includes bank reconciliation, cheques and credit card reconciliation and compiling consolidated profit and loss statements for the Chief Executive Officer and the Board. As part of his Professional Development Jaishil has joined Toastmasters and he appreciates how it has improved his communication and leadership skills. Jaishil likes to visit new places and keep well informed about changes in the world related to new innovations and technology, politics, business, and sports.

Jefferson is our hands on administration assistant. Jefferson is in the process of completing his Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture and Economics.

He likes working for ChemCert as it provides him with interaction with the agricultural sector which is helpful for his studies. He is also really looking forward to the on-farm practical component of his degree which he hopes to complete in the heart of New South Wales.

Harris is ChemCert’s award-winning freelance graphics designer who completed a Bachelor of Design with Honours in Visual Communications from the University of Western Sydney in 2009.

In 2009 Harris was a joint-winner of the Museum of Australia Publication Design Award interactive DVD for the exhibition ‘WomenTransported’ showcasing the life in Australia’s Convict Female Factories in the early 1800’s. His exhibition shows his interest in recording and making accessible early Australian history. The opportunity came to him as he worked as a volunteer and intern at the Parramatta Heritage Centre.

Harris is in charge of the content and presentation of the ChemCert website and keeping it up to date. He also serves as ChemCert's photographer and image editor. Harris also has the all-important job of managing the design and layout of the ChemCert Training Group course manuals. In his spare time Harris likes to attend art exhibitions and he likes to dabble in illustration and animation.

Harris also does graphics design work for charity groups and events companies who host fundraisers for recent disasters and children in third world countries in order to help them raise awareness about the causes.

Sarah is our Senior Administration Officer whose main duties include supervising junior staff, managing course processing, answering student enquiries, processing course accounts and organising ChemCert courses. With a Bachelor of Arts Psychology degree, minor in Human Resources, Sarah manages all of the human resources tasks within the organisation, including recruitment, updating policies and procedures and is currently developing a new HR plan for the organisation.

Bernadette Crouch
Lead Course Coordinator

Genene Reardon
Assistant Course Coordinator