Our CEO
Melanie Summer
At Fortress Learning, Melanie Summer leads with vision and determination. As CEO and entrepreneur, she embodies the strength of innovative thinking, resilience, and leadership.
She is passionate about education, continuous learning and making learning accessible, engaging, and downright fun for our students.
Oh, and did we mention her impressive credentials? From an Executive MBA to advanced studies at Wharton, Harvard, and London Business School, Melanie brings a blend of academic brilliance and real-world experience to the table.
But here’s the twist—Melanie’s leadership isn’t just about strategy and spreadsheets. She brings passion, purpose, and a touch of fun, motivating our team to think boldly, innovate creatively, and achieve the extraordinary.
Want a sneak peek into how Melanie navigates the ever-evolving world of training and development? Or maybe you’re looking for some fresh inspiration for your own journey?
Follow her on LinkedIn to stay connected, get behind-the-scenes insights, and soak up her brilliant tips for success.
Meet Our Trainers
Inspiring educators, unlocking potential.
Our trainers at Fortress Learning share a common passion: helping students unlock their potential and achieve their dreams through education. With extensive experience in adult education, each trainer has worn many hats within Registered Training Organisations, and have a wealth of knowledge in a range of industries.
Our trainers are committed to guiding students through challenges, celebrating those light bulb moments when everything clicks, and inspiring the next generation of great teachers and trainers. Our team is here to support you every step of the way as you strive for success.
Jane MacIntosh
Training Manager
Jane joined Fortress Learning in 2021, bringing her global journey and wealth of experience to the team. Born in England, raised in South Africa, and now calling Sydney home since 2009, Jane’s background is as diverse as her skills.
With a passion for helping people achieve their dreams, Jane loves guiding students through the tough moments when giving up feels easy and celebrating those magical "aha!" moments when everything clicks. Her mission? To empower learners to unlock their full potential and make their ambitions a reality.
Having worn every hat in the RTO world—course coordinator, compliance manager, and even course developer—Jane knows the ins and outs of vocational education. Now, she’s focused on creating amazing trainers who inspire others to achieve greatness. At Fortress Learning, Jane is all about making learning a transformational and rewarding experience!
Richard Gietman
TAE Trainer and Group Facilitator
With over a decade of experience training TAE, Richard brings a wealth of expertise and enthusiasm to the classroom. His career journey began in hospitality, with a focus on healthcare, before transitioning to vocational education. He also spent time training hospitality students, honing his ability to connect with learners from diverse backgrounds.
Richard’s passion for the training industry shines through in his interactions with students. He thrives on meeting interesting people, sharing knowledge, and embracing the idea that learning is a two-way street—every student has something to teach, too.Known for his approachable and engaging training style, Richard creates an environment where students feel empowered to achieve their goals.
Deb Thomas
TAE Trainer and Group Facilitator
Deb joined Fortress Learning in 2019 and has been inspiring students ever since! With a background as a Registered Nurse, Midwife, and community volunteer, she’s no stranger to helping others achieve their best. After earning her Cert IV TAE in 2015, Deb dove headfirst into training, from face-to-face First Aid sessions to guiding students online and via Zoom.
Known for her energy and personal touch, Deb loves connecting with her students and helping them hit their goals. When she’s not training, you might find her officiating weddings and celebrations as a celebrant, relaxing with a good book or movie.
Maniya
TAE Assessor
Mainya joined Fortress Learning in late 2018, bringing her flair for education and a global perspective to the team. With a background as a design educator in international design schools, she made the exciting leap into vocational education and training after settling in Australia—where she discovered her new passion for the ever-evolving VET sector.
At Fortress Learning, Maniya is dedicated to supporting students on their journey to mastering the skills and knowledge needed for training and assessment. She values each learner’s unique path, celebrating their growth and achievements along the way.
Operations, Research &
Development Manager
Emma Siebuhr
Since hopping on board the Fortress team in 2014, Emma has been our go-to powerhouse for all things compliance, keeping our training programs top-notch and hassle-free.
With her deep knowledge of the VET sector, Emma works her magic to craft training and assessments to suit cater for all different learning styles.
A Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) whiz, she’s the queen of turning what seems complicated into a walk in the park—making the process super smooth and stress-free for learners.
But Emma doesn’t stop there! Her passion for the VET industry keeps her ahead of the curve, always finding fresh ways to improve and make learning an absolute joy.
Support Team
The Fortress Support Team is the backbone of everything we do, dedicated to ensuring your learning experience is seamless, stress-free, and successful. They’re pros at turning challenges into solutions. With a shared passion for education and student success, the Fortress Support Team goes above and beyond to make sure you’re supported—because your goals are their goals, too.
Bheng Celon
Odeza Tadoyo
Cory Sabela
Karenn Octubre
Sales & Marketing
Jon our Course Advisor is here to make your journey into vocational education smooth and exciting! He’s passionate about connecting you with the right courses to achieve your goals—whether you're upskilling, changing careers, or ready to dive into the world of training and assessment.
Jonathan Stekhoven
Course Advisor
Jo Baker
Marketing and Sales Team Leader
Accounts
Whether you're a student or corporate client our friendly accounts team is here to provide clear communication and seamless support, so you can focus on what matters most—achieving your learning goals.
Aisie Legaspi
Accounts Officer
Eunice Faustino
Executive Assistant
Invest in Your Future with Fortress Learning
How cheap courses could cost you more in the long run.
Free and low-cost training options can be tempting, but sometimes "cheap" comes with hidden costs that could impact your learning experience and long-term success. At Fortress Learning, we know that investing in your education isn’t just about money—it’s about support, flexibility, and achieving your goals. Here’s why Fortress stands out:
✅ Personalised Support: Unlike large classes or providers offering limited assistance, we ensure you get the help you need, when you need it.
✅ Flexibility to Suit Your Life: Our online, self-paced courses allow you to learn on your terms—perfect for busy schedules or unexpected life demands.
✅ Higher Completion Rates: Many low-cost providers see low completion rates due to lack of support and structure. At Fortress, in 2024 we had 86% of our TAE40116 Certificate IV TAE students successfully complete their courses because we prioritised their success from day one.
Choosing a course provider is about more than price—it’s about your time, your growth, and your career aspirations. At Fortress Learning, we’re here to offer the tools, support, and confidence you need to thrive—not just in your course, but in your career.
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The new qualification TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training & Assessment was a very challenging course. I have been in the VET sector for almost 30 years and have gone through many of the qualification upgrades. This new one was no "give me". The assistance I got from the FL team was amazing. I was supported every step of the way. A fantastic learning and development experience. Thank you
Roger Crowhurst
Thanks to Jane for her support all the way. I definitely had trouble interpreting academic speak as I am from a trade background. With Jane's help I found it easier to understand and ultimately got through.
Stephen Armao
Fortress learning provided quality service, resources and training, from the enrolment process with Jonathon who had exceptional Customer service skills to the Trainer Deb Thomas who held my hand through the upgrade process. I am very happy to have selected and committed to Fortress learning and would highly recommend anyone considering to upgrade their qualifications or begin their training to go with their training organisation. Thanks again Deb for your time, knowledge and skills.
Caterina
From the very first phone call, Fortress Learning had fantastic communication and straightforward processes. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing to go through the RPL and credit transfer process. They made the whole process so simple and stress free. Emails were normally responded to on the same day, and the giant portfolio I submitted was reviewed and marked within the week. Thank you to Jon, Odeza, Emma and everyone else involved.
Alison L
I’m not a person who takes to technology and computers easily, I never gained an education through high school. Thanks to Deb and the team at Fortress, I was able to get my qualification to start my dream job, training and assessing apprentices. I would like to thank everyone at Fortress for helping and guiding me along the way, I will be forever grateful!
Adam D
I had a great experience doing my TAE through Fortress. Very clear tasks with videos to give guidance and instructions on the tasks. Trainers very responsive and willing to help! Marking done within 4 days. Thank you very much!
Susanna C
Fortress made my RPL really easy. Advised me exactly what I needed to provide as evidence to reach my desired outcome. Quick assessment of my skills and experience to finalise my upgrade. Thanks Fortress team.
Steve D
Quality TAE RPL assessment is difficult. That's why lesser RTOs avoid it. I tried to negotiate a realistic RPL pathway with two other well-known TAE providers before settling on Fortress. I'm an experienced TAE assessor myself; I was impressed by their commitment to rigorously observing the standards while being flexible enough to capture genuine evidence. I was not only impressed with the service they provided me, I am confident that any colleague or potential employee of mine that is certified through Fortress genuinely has met the standards (and not just benefitted from the "tick and flick" approach of some providers). I have no association with Fortress but I would recommend them to any TAE professional seeking to upgrade their qualifications.
Sean Kelly
I recently completed my Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in Training and Assessment Education (TAE) through Fortress Learning, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From start to finish, the process was seamless and well-organized. The support team was incredibly responsive and helpful, guiding me through each step with patience and clarity. The assessors at Fortress Learning are highly knowledgeable and provided valuable feedback that was both constructive and encouraging. Their expertise in the TAE field is evident, and their dedication to helping students succeed is truly commendable. What stood out the most was their tailored approach to my RPL application. They recognized my prior experience and skills, ensuring that the assessment process was relevant and fair. The resources provided were comprehensive and greatly aided in my understanding of the requirements. Overall, Fortress Learning has exceeded my expectations with its professional and supportive approach. I highly recommend their RPL services to anyone seeking to advance their TAE qualifications. Thank you, Fortress Learning, for an outstanding educational experience!
Brendan
The TAE workload was boulderous and daunting, but trainer Deb Thomas assisted me throughout. Her explanations untangled jargon and simplified arduous assessment tasks. Her incredible support enabled me to complete the TAE. THANK YOU!!! Although I primarily teach in a degree course, areas covered such as "reasonable adjustment" will assist with my Higher Ed work. I recommend Fortress to anyone contemplating a TAE: the service was both excellent and comprehensive.
Robyn
This course has made me a better Trainer and Assessor in many ways. The research project was intense, but very rewarding, I intend to implement many of the strategies I have learned throughout the course. The training staff at Fortress were fantastic and very supportive all the way, they did not hesitate to help me when it was needed. Many thanks to Fortress, especially Jane MacIntosh.
Nick Congiusta
Ready to unlock your Training potential?
Book a free demo to see how our platform works and how our expert trainers can guide you to success.
Or get in touch with a course advisor today to discuss your goals and explore your options.