Company Profile

THINQ Learning & Development Pty Limited trading as THINQ Training is registered by the Vocational Education Training Accreditation Board (VETAB) New South Wales to deliver training package qualifications and selected units of competency appropriate to the Australian Qualifications Training Framework (AQTF).

THINQ Training’s Head Office is in Sydney supported by an office in Cardiff near Newcastle with Regional Offices in Penrith and Bathurst. THINQ Training operates within the Sydney metropolitan area, Central West, Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, Wollongong & the south coast areas of NSW. We plan to expand nationally during 2009.

THINQ Training is approved by the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming & Racing (OLGR) to conduct the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course and the Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) course and for Government Funding for industry based traineeships by being accepted on the Approved Provider List (APL).

In 2007 THINQ Training increased its scope of registration to include Aged Care and Business and in 2008 to include Asset Maintenance and Hospitality (Kitchen Operations). Also during 2008 THINQ Training was approved by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to conduct & administer the Productivity Places Program (PPP) an Australian Government initiative. These improvements in basic skills will help people who are:

  • Employed to progress their career
  • Unemployed to assist them to find work

THINQ Training primarily conducts food and beverage training services to entry level students wishing to gain employment into the hospitality industry and aged care facilities. However with an increasing number of alliance partners and a number of Job Network Providers (JNPs), and Employment Service Providers (ESPs) our operational services now include:

  • Training & assessment services in Hospitality, Aged Care and Business
  • Performance management
  • Occupational Health & Safety
  • Licence & Club premises compliance
  • Consultancy within the Hospitality Industry.

Key People

John Mead
Former Director, Chief Executive Officer and Founder retired in August 2009.

Ellen Gillespie
Chief Executive Officer and RTO Compliance Officer

Company CEO, John Mead was thrilled in March 2006 when appointing and welcoming Ellen Gillespie as Regional Manager Northern NSW. Then in April 2007 Ellen was promoted to become company General Manager and RTO Compliance Officer. Not only does Ellen have a Diploma in Hospitality Management (Operations), but she has over 26 years hospitality industry experience with 18 years in Registered Clubs (bar, cellar, gaming, keno, TAB, reception, food service including functions), 5 years in Hotels, 3 years as Functions Manager, but has nearly 10 years in Vocational Education. Ellen set up and was the Manager of REACH for Training (an RTO) for 4 years and has been involved in conducting LAB approved RSA courses since 1998. Ellen will be based in the Newcastle office in Cardiff.

Following the retirement of John Mead in August 2009, Ellen became Chief Executive Officer.

Caroline Mariner
Administration & Office Manager
Caroline started with us early in 2004 as an Administration Trainee. Over the last (almost) 5 years Caroline has not only gained in confidence and knowledge, but also attained her Certificate III in Business Administration. Caroline has worked her way from being our receptionist and telephonist to now being a very important and valuable member of our team and is now our Administration & Office Manager.
 

Asoka Ekanayake

Certificate IV Assessor and Workplace Trainer, Certificate 111 in Hospitality (Operations)

Asoka Ekanayake has worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty three years - ten years in restaurant management. The last thirteen years being in corporate hospitality. Asoka is currently consulting to Government House of NSW to manage the operations of their functions. Asoka has taken an active interest in staff development and training through out his working career. He is a accredited RSA trainer and is developing Supervisory level training courses.

Martin Cummings
Regional Manager, Central West NSW
Diploma in Catering & Hotel Management
Certificate IV in Small Business Management & Certificate IV Assessor and Workplace Trainer
Martin has many years of supervisory and management positions of hotels, motels, clubs and bottle shops. He has also worked as a functions and banquets coordinator and supervisor of bar and gaming operations of large clubs. Since 2003 Martin has been progressively moving into training and assessment roles with TAFE and SBTC.

Sean Harper
Certificate IV Assessor and Workplace Trainer, Certificate 111 in Hospitality (Operations)
Sean has over 16 years hospitality industry experience. In the early 1990’s Sean was Bar Manager/Supervisor of a large Brisbane restaurant, followed by 3 years as Manager/Licensee of a West End, London restaurant/wine bar, and then between 1996 and 2005, he held 3 restaurant licences in Sydney. Sean also has a Bachelor of Business. Sean attained his Certificate IV in Training & Assessment in 2006.