Bryan West – Manager & Trainer

From an early age, Bryan enjoyed exploring the natural world. As he moved from poking around puddles with a stick, he moved to an interest in hiking, cycle-touring and kayaking. It was while bumbling his way through a Bachelor of Science degree at the Australian National University that Bryan discovered the light bulb moment that comes from learning something new. Following his graduation, during the recession that we had to have, he moved to Sydney and to work with a company that offered an alternative to chemically intensive forms of urban pest control.

It was while in Sydney that Bryan discovered that what he liked most was teaching. Community and corporate education, and working in TAFE, was followed by a series of cycling trips in Asia.

Not surprisingly, his twin interests in teaching and the world led to a decision to teach high school Geography. Bryan moved to Brisbane to study education at University of Queensland and taught in Brisbane where he met his wife, Amy. Together, they moved to north Queensland, where they have taught in a number of schools, and where Bryan has gained significant senior leadership experience. It was during this time that he completed a Doctor of Philosophy, exploring whether assumptions about the value of technology to learning were reflected in students’ own experiences. Several publications and conference presentations related to this and other work-based studies have cemented his interest in reflective practice.

It was also while in north Queensland that Bryan met Chris. After early forays into swollen rivers in inflatable boats, they cycled west and south as part of a somewhat ludicrous attempt at a trans-continental odyssey. While they didn’t make it out of the state, they did share many ideas, and established the foundation from which Fortress Learning has emerged.

Bryan is a board member of a north Queensland training company, president of the local kindergarten and student mentor with Smith Family’s Learning For Life program. He balances his work life with a range of community and personal interests, and cherishes more than anything else the time he spends with his family.

Educational Background

- Doctor of Philosophy- Post Graduate Diploma in Education
- Bachelor of Science
- Company Directors Course
- Certificate IV in Training & Assessment
- Diploma in Training & Assessment
- Certificate IV in Business (Governance)
- Permaculture Design Certificate

Memberships

- Associate Fellow, Australian Institute of Management- Member, Australian College of Educators
- Member, Australian Institute of Company Directors
- Member, Vocational Education Learning Group
- Life Member, Fair Share International

Currently Studying

Masters of Applied Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Adelaide