I bring decades of professional experience as a senior manager and advisor within the Australian Defence Force and public service, specializing in complex training design, workforce skilling, training governance frameworks, and policy interpretation. My expertise in learning design encompasses conducting comprehensive needs analyses, tailoring programs to organizational goals, and delivering engaging, effective training solutions that drive performance and align with strategic objectives. Throughout my career, I have designed and implemented sensitive and complex training courses for global audiences, including video-based and animated explainer content. My work has included contributions to major projects on the national training register, and guiding specialists in developing unique skillsets for community-specific training. I have a deep understanding of training governance frameworks and the importance of equipping employees with tools to remain industry-compliant through accredited training and professional development. I pride myself on clear, effective communication across all organizational levels and in fostering positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, whether nationally or internationally. I have managed geographically dispersed teams during military operations and business-as-usual contexts, including maintaining the cohesion and motivation of stressed personnel through kindness, empathy, and resilience. My situational leadership style emphasizes mentoring and coaching to empower individuals and encourage them to use their initiative. I believe that a team’s success stems from its members’ strengths, and I am committed to nurturing these through structured guidance, collaboration, and support, which drives my passion for effective training design. Adaptable and resilient, I thrive in dynamic environments and am comfortable navigating change to meet organizational needs. I seek to create meaningful workplace experiences that positively impact both teams and the broader community. I am currently seeking a professional environment that values collaboration, kindness, and work which positively impacts a community, and I am eager to bring my skills to a workplace that is dedicated to excellence.

Stephen Coates (Steve)

I bring decades of professional experience as a senior manager and advisor within the Australian Defence Force and public service, specializing in complex training design, workforce skilling, training governance frameworks, and policy interpretation. My expertise in learning design encompasses conducting comprehensive needs analyses, tailoring programs to organizational goals, and delivering engaging, effective training solutions that drive performance and align with strategic objectives. Throughout my career, I have designed and implemented sensitive and complex training courses for global audiences, including video-based and animated explainer content. My work has included contributions to major projects on the national training register, and guiding specialists in developing unique skillsets for community-specific training. I have a deep understanding of training governance frameworks and the importance of equipping employees with tools to remain industry-compliant through accredited training and professional development. I pride myself on clear, effective communication across all organizational levels and in fostering positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, whether nationally or internationally. I have managed geographically dispersed teams during military operations and business-as-usual contexts, including maintaining the cohesion and motivation of stressed personnel through kindness, empathy, and resilience. My situational leadership style emphasizes mentoring and coaching to empower individuals and encourage them to use their initiative. I believe that a team’s success stems from its members’ strengths, and I am committed to nurturing these through structured guidance, collaboration, and support, which drives my passion for effective training design. Adaptable and resilient, I thrive in dynamic environments and am comfortable navigating change to meet organizational needs. I seek to create meaningful workplace experiences that positively impact both teams and the broader community. I am currently seeking a professional environment that values collaboration, kindness, and work which positively impacts a community, and I am eager to bring my skills to a workplace that is dedicated to excellence.

Available to hire

I bring decades of professional experience as a senior manager and advisor within the Australian Defence Force and public service, specializing in complex training design, workforce skilling, training governance frameworks, and policy interpretation. My expertise in learning design encompasses conducting comprehensive needs analyses, tailoring programs to organizational goals, and delivering engaging, effective training solutions that drive performance and align with strategic objectives.
Throughout my career, I have designed and implemented sensitive and complex training courses for global audiences, including video-based and animated explainer content. My work has included contributions to major projects on the national training register, and guiding specialists in developing unique skillsets for community-specific training. I have a deep understanding of training governance frameworks and the importance of equipping employees with tools to remain industry-compliant through accredited training and professional development.
I pride myself on clear, effective communication across all organizational levels and in fostering positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, whether nationally or internationally. I have managed geographically dispersed teams during military operations and business-as-usual contexts, including maintaining the cohesion and motivation of stressed personnel through kindness, empathy, and resilience.
My situational leadership style emphasizes mentoring and coaching to empower individuals and encourage them to use their initiative. I believe that a team’s success stems from its members’ strengths, and I am committed to nurturing these through structured guidance, collaboration, and support, which drives my passion for effective training design.
Adaptable and resilient, I thrive in dynamic environments and am comfortable navigating change to meet organizational needs. I seek to create meaningful workplace experiences that positively impact both teams and the broader community. I am currently seeking a professional environment that values collaboration, kindness, and work which positively impacts a community, and I am eager to bring my skills to a workplace that is dedicated to excellence.

See more

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Training Designer at Comcare
September 1, 2023 - Present
Design, develop and implement an uplift training framework for Comcare. Plan, develop and present the plan, process, flowchart, templates, online development guide, and build necessary resources to meet the immersive needs of adult learners. Develop education and multimedia content for adult learners including video editing, character animations, animated graphics, synthetic voices, music and branding.
Senior Training Advisor at Office of National Intelligence
February 1, 2022 - December 1, 2022
Capture complex face-to-face intelligence courses and convert for online delivery to the Australian and international intelligence communities. Work with international partners to convey the accuracy, detail and culture of intelligence analysis work. Create dynamic online courses utilising animated characters, synthetic voices and high-end graphics. Provide specialist advice on learning and development programs for the intelligence workforce.
Senior Training Designer at Department of Health
September 1, 2021 - February 1, 2022
Design a capability training framework, which aligns with nationally recognised training and assessment standards. Introduce a learning management system, covering the needs of required qualifications, skill sets and unit standard operating systems for a geographically dispersed organisation. Interpret and analyse Royal Commission outcomes for training design. Attend, monitor and support the maintenance, configuration and release updates for screening and assessor workforce client systems.
Training Manager at Defence
June 1, 2020 - September 1, 2021
Design and implement a capability training framework, which aligns with nationally recognised training and assessment standards. Manage learning management system, covering the needs of required qualifications, skill sets and unit standard operating systems in a geographically dispersed organisation. Interpret legislation, policy and apply updates to directorate statements. Attend, monitor and support the maintenance, configuration and release updates for enterprise WHS risk management systems. Manage directorate SharePoint sites and Objective File Management System. Analyse and map the roles and duties of personnel to meet the recognised gaps in capability. Control the output from multiple agencies for the upgrade, maintenance and proposed new system improvements of multiple enterprise safety systems. Identify and establish relationships with ADF and APS Training Systems Officers in support of multiple WHS training requirements including Defence wide, Aviation Safety, Cadets, Navy and
National Skills Framework Manager at Defence College
March 1, 2015 - June 1, 2020
Manage the Defence Training Package qualifications and units of competency across sixteen industry sectors, including co-chair training advisory committees for the development of new UOC’s. Develop and coordinate Defence Apprenticeships memorandums of understanding across multiple state and federal agencies. Support Defence for the creation, review or cancellation of nationally recognised qualifications. Research, recruit and co-chair national technical advisory committees. Manage and create organisational surveys in support of sixteen industry trends influencing national qualifications for skills forecasts. Create enterprise online courses as directed for delivery in Moodle. Produce digital content for train the trainer professional development courses, webinars and forums.
Defence Glossary Manager at Defence APS6
March 1, 2010 - March 1, 2015
Manage Defence’s database for authorised terminology, abbreviations and symbology and provide high level support to stakeholders in accordance with international standards. Liaise with NATO and US Joint stakeholders on behalf of Defence operational terminology. Recruit and mentor stakeholders in support of Defence language growth including high level input in support of legal requirements. Maintain the Defence language library in support of external departments' legal determinations including the Department of Veterans' Affairs and high level commission of inquiries. Provide input to the Macquarie Dictionary for language within the Defence context. Design a new database, which meets ISO standards, governance and workflow protocols. Manage contract obligations to meet the needs of the organisation. Supervise, manage and mentor senior Defence Members' and terminology coordinators.
Photographer at Steve Coates Photography
July 1, 2005 - March 1, 2010
Manage, maintain and operate photographic business including website production, advertising, and video production. Provide professional services to newspaper for editorial, podcasts, webinars, YouTube and social media. Provide Navy reservist photographic support to South Australia.
Petty Officer Photographer and Geospatial Imagery Intelligence Analyst at Royal Australian Navy
June 1, 1984 - April 1, 2005
Defence’s principal video camera operator and editor. Manage and maintain the Navy’s principal photographic section and complex team. Train, mentor and motivate personnel to deploy to areas of operations. Work closely with public relations and intelligence community stakeholders. Consult with software engineers to design digital asset management software. Provide imagery support and products for maritime, air, land operations and international partners. Lead a target materials team of imagery intelligence analysts to develop imagery intelligence packages in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.

Education

Add your educational history here.

Qualifications

TAE50205 Diploma of Training Design and Development
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
TAE40116 Certificate IV Training and Assessment
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
CUV50407 Diploma of Photoimaging
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
TAE50205 Diploma of Training Design and Development
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
TAE40116 Certificate IV Training and Assessment
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
CUV50407 Diploma of Photoimaging
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Situational Leadership II Advanced Personnel Performance Management
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Navy Career Development
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
Advanced Diploma Cognitive Based Therapies UK Centre Of Excellence
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025
NSW Working with Children Check WWC2663942E
January 11, 2030 - December 4, 2025

Industry Experience

Government, Professional Services, Education, Media & Entertainment
    paper Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate

    Made with Vyond, this explainer showcases each stage of the ADDIE model to develop training products.