126 APAC / June 2017 , CEO at Bridge Business College, Kiaran Green has been involved in vocational education for the past 18 years. As part of our CEO of the Year coverage, we took the opportunity interview the man himself about his own background and the ethos of Bridge Business College. The Lessons of Life CEO at Bridge Business College, Kiaran Green is an ideas man who loves a knotty problem. He is passionate about developing people and organisations to bring out their best. However, when he is off the clock he enjoys spending time with his family, playing the guitar and taking the long board out on the rising tide. His original interests include language learning and acquisition. Having lived in Indonesia and Japan, as well as travelling through many other locations, he developed a keen interest in language and the way it provided an insight into cultural understanding. Kiaran provides some further insight into his own background plus the ambitions of Bridge Business College in responding to individual needs. “My formal studies were in the fields of anthropology, education, business and politics. I’m a lifelong learner, who continues to read on these topics, as well as the ever-expanding area of information communication technology. “At Bridge Business College, we are truly committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction in the provision of education and training, so that those who come here receive every opportunity to achieve their full potential. The staff at the college are here to respond to any individual needs. “The courses we run are designed to be practical. As well as government approved training, there are a variety of short courses on offer here. Our aim is to provide the practical skills that will get those who study with us a job, as well as the knowledge that allows them to grow within the organisation they may go on to work for.” Kiaran’s then takes us back to when the college was established in 1991 and how it has built up a unique character of its own over the years. “The college was established in 1991, initially as a college to assist Australians in need of job skills for employment, the college then branched into international education providing for students travelling to Australia on study visa’s, this year we are celebrating our 26th year of operation. “Bridge is a unique college with a history and many stories to tell. Over the years we have built a character and like all of us have gone through our growth spurts, our terrible teens, and now like a young adult, we stand ready for the new challenges that life brings. Bridge is now a well-established college with an abundance of resources and experience that guarantees that your time at here will be a richly rewarding one.” Kiaran then reveals that the college is a big, friendly, busy and helpful place. Indeed, there are always two or three reception staff waiting to greet you and happily help you with anything. The college reception and recreation areas are of the open plan style which gives you a feeling of space, plus they have open learning spaces for student project learning as well, so that students can collaborate and work together in a comfortable environment. Kiaran then details the pastoral care provided by Bridge Business College, plus the opportunities available for domestic students. “Our students come from over 60 different countries and every one of them has a story to tell. If you read about international education in the newspaper, the discussion is rightly framed around economics, student numbers, the quality of education and migration. Rarely does the newspaper look behind the figures and see the tangle of humanity that is living here. We understand our students are also brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers. “The untold stories are as varied as the students; there are real stories of overcoming difficulties and stories of success that bring a deep sense of satisfaction to me personally - that what we do here is a good thing. We are a great college but we are so much more than just a college, indeed we are a place where students can live with understanding and be given a chance to receive some of the most important teaching of all, ‘the lessons of life’. “Domestic students are off to a great career start when they come to BBC, because here you will have an opportunity to mix with a wide variety of cultures from around the world, in one classroom. In an increasingly globalised world, this interaction will provide an invaluable advantage for those students wishing to pursue business across international borders. I firmly believe that Bridge’s international environment is our great strength as evidenced by the enduring friendship that have been made between students of different backgrounds and cultures.” Kiaran concludes by offering his thoughts in the quality education that Bridge Business College guarantees to supply. “At Bridge, you will receive a quality education. Our entire program has been designed and developed by our team in the training department; our course materials are regularly checked to continually improve your learning experience. At Bridge, we have the students’ interests at heart. We hope to become a part of the students’ life journey. For our part, we are a committed trusted partner that those who study with us can rely on, long after their course has finished.” Company: Bridge Business College Pty Ltd. Name: Kiaran Green Email:
[email protected] Web Address: www.bridgebc.edu.au Address: Level 9, 11 York Street Sydney 2000, New South Wales, Australia Telephone: +61 2 9299 4999 1701AP24