Erin sets the standard with TAFE teaching

Following a career in the aviation industry and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) that saw her work on Chinooks, pilot remote helicopter flights and travel to the United States of America (USA) for training, Erin Kinsella started teaching to set the standard for her industry – not just live with it.

Teaching at the Townsville Aviation Training Academy since 2025 has been the latest in a number of opportunities that Erin saw as too good to turn down across her working life, which started in ground handling.

Erin began her aviation career working in powerline observation before moving into piloting R44 helicopters for remote scenic flights.

She later joined the Australian Defence Force, where she spent eight years as a maintenance technician on CH-47 Chinook helicopters, building strong technical and operational experience in a demanding environment.

Erin proudly won a Whirly Girls Scholarship to travel to the USA and study AW139 airframe maintenance, further expanding her skills and expertise while still in the ADF.

She has experienced the most technical and high-quality training available and knows that through quality training she can make a difference to her students and industry.

“I've seen first-hand the difference between what good training looks like and what bad training costs. Stepping into teaching lets you shape the standard instead of just living with it,” Erin said.

“By passing on my experience, I'm helping create safer aircraft, better engineers and a more capable workforce.

“I want to pass on the knowledge I’ve built over the years and help grow the capability of the people coming into the industry.”

The Queensland Government is encouraging ex-ADF members like Erin to consider a transition to TAFE teaching as their next career move to share their vast knowledge with the next generation.

The $2 million TAFE teacher recruitment drive is an election commitment of the Queensland Government. This commitment and programs supporting teacher training and employment form part of Measures to Strengthen the VET Workforce, a joint initiative between the Australian and Queensland Governments.