About Us
Australian Training and Consulting, a registered training organisation based in the NSW regional city of Tamworth, is recognised as a provider of quality assured and nationally-recognised qualifications.
ATAC provides training across a range of industries throughout the North West, New England, Hunter Valley, Sydney and mid-north coast regions of NSW.
Its headquarters at 4 O’Connell Street, Tamworth has a fully equipped training room with the latest audio visual technology, a range of equipment used during training sessions such as fixed and portable coffee machines of a commercial standard, a mobile confined spaces trailer for training with all necessary rescue equipment and a room equipped for people with a disability.
All training sites meet training industry quality assurance requirements set by industry standards, the NSW Vocational Education and Training Act; the Australian Quality Training Framework 2007 and the NSW Vocational Education, Training and Accreditation Board (VETAB).
ATAC aims to provide cost-effective training which meets its clients’ needs while promoting best management practices, including compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework.
Its training courses are accredited under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) and the qualifications its students attain are recognised by all other registered training organisations across Australia.
ATAC’s status as a registered training organisation signifies it has the expertise to customise courses tailored to the needs of employers while delivering skills which meet national standards.
In NSW, the NSW Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board is responsible for regulating registered training organisations like ATAC.
TEAM FOCUS
Australian Training and Consulting Managing Director Tim Coates started ATAC in November 2002, originally as Coates Hospitality Services Pty Ltd. He was the sole employee.
Coates Hospitality Services Pty Ltd initially serviced hospitality clients for training and consultancy, mainly in the registered clubs industry.
The company focused on this area until late 2002 at which time Tim, in consultation with his father (who has a background in building and engineering) decided to expand the range of services. Tim decided that the best way forward was to form a registered training organisation to ensure quality service delivery within set guidelines. The trading name ATAC (Australian Training and Consulting) was formed and approved as a registered training organisation in NSW on July 23, 2003.
It has since steadily grown and today specialises in providing training in business services, occupational health and safety, civil construction, local government, hospitality and horticulture.
ATAC Principal, Tim Coates
Tim founded Coates Hospitality Services in 2000, the year he left employment in the registered club industry. He had for a period of time been CEO of Forestville RSL Club in Sydney, State Councillor for ClubsNSW Northern Metro and Chair of Clubs in the Community for the same region.
Tim was raised in Tamworth NSW and returned ``home” to grow a regional business. To reflect the variety and spread of services he registered the business name Australian Training and Consulting (ATAC).
Tim is actively involved in the local community and remains so today through the Tamworth Chamber of Commerce; Tamworth Regional Development Corporation; Greater Northern Skills Development Group; Rotary; local sports and - through ATAC - sponsors several local events and groups.
Tim is the Principal of ATAC and has grown the business to where it now directly employs 20 staff. Tim personally books all short courses that are delivered currently by ATAC.
Tim is a Certified Club Manager and an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute Of Management.
Chris Power
Chris joined Australian Training and Consulting in February 2006 as Compliance Manager after working in a variety of management roles across various industry sectors.
Chris has previously worked in local government, injury management; food processing and transport industries.
He lives in Tamworth, is married to Dianne and they have two sons.
Chris is now the CEO of Australian Training and Consulting. He has a clear focus on quality product service delivery in a timely manner to meet clients’ needs.
Chris believes that selecting the right training program and working with a professional provider can add value to any workplace.
Caroline Wright
Caroline’s career started at The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron in Sydney where she completed a Hospitality Management cadetship.
Caroline worked in New Guinea after being recruited to train staff at Port Moresby’s first five-star hotel. She returned to Australia when she began her 19 years as manager/food and beverage manager at Tamworth’s Quality Hotel Powerhouse, a 4.5 and 5-star regional property which has won many awards for excellence.
She moved the Quality Hotel Burke & Wills, Toowoomba - a 4.5 star property - where she was responsible for all staff training and worked at the Red Earth Boutique Hotel, Mount Isa, where she was fully responsible for staff selection, training, décor and liaison between the owner and builder.
Caroline now works for ATAC as a marketing consultant specialising in training solutions. She is also a tireless worker in the Tamworth community, being involved in the regional food and wine showcases, Taste and the Long Lunch, as well as Tamworth-based charity Serendipity and mentoring newcomers to the hospitality industry.
Geoff Tall
Geoff joined ATAC in October 2003 as ATAC’s fourth employee. Geoff had previously worked in a broad cross section of Industry and had a wide range of life experience.
Geoff is a Director of ATAC, having bought in during 2006.
He is an experienced and qualified vocational trainer focussing on OHS; Traffic Control; First Aid; Confined Spaces; Manual Handling and Safe Working at Heights. Geoff is an active promoter of age being no barrier to lifelong learning.
David Innes
David grew up in the Tamworth area and after finishing school, gained experience in the banking industry over the next 12 years. During this time he concentrated on lending with a focus on rural clients.
After leaving the bank he moved into financial administration, initially working for and then managing a local financial institution. After six years and merging it with another institution, David left the merged organisation and undertook a number of administration roles before joining ATAC.
David has considerable finance/administration experience and is currently completing a Certificate IV in frontline management. He is ATAC’s finance officer and as such is responsible for the company’s financial administration as well as undertaking numerous other projects.
