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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Hi. I really enjoyed the learning experience offered by fortress learning. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a supportive and well organised online learning experience. A great team.
Andrew Trosic
So far the best RTO that I have been with. Great support from the admin team, stable online blackboard platform, experienced trainers like Richard Gietman & Deb Thomas, along with efficient student processing services. Thank you Fortress, and 5 stars for the team!
Suresh Suppiah
I had an excellent experience completing the Diploma of Vocational Education and Training through Fortress Learning. The whole team was incredibly supportive throughout the process—special thanks to Karen, Bheng, Jane, Maniya, and Emma for their professionalism and encouragement at every step. I would particularly like to thank my trainer, Emma, for her outstanding guidance, clear feedback, and responsiveness, which made the RPL journey smooth and achievable. I highly recommend Fortress Learning to any VET professional seeking a structured, supportive, and well-managed qualification pathway.
Yun Qian
I have completed a few Cert IV and Diploma units with Fortress over the years and have had nothing but positive experiences (even with RPL). The team at Fortress are always helpful and supportive.
Christiana Mergan
The Fortress Team were extremely professional to deal with all throughout my course. Always helpful, understanding and a pleasure to deal with. I would happily recommend them to anyone.
Lee Guest
I really enjoy my study journey in fortress learning. The teachers and staff really helpful.
Physio Dian Nawir
Highly recommend. Reasonably priced, easy to use interface, quick marking times and responsive trainers.
Bel Callea
The TAE cert iv certainly isn’t an easy course to complete. I had to learn a whole new language and although I was expecting to be taught how to teach, it’s nothing like that - more like learning how best to support our students and to present the information to them in a way they can understand. The support provided by Fortress was really good - I chose the middle package as a safety net just in case I needed it. Initially my trainer was Brian, an awesome mentor, huge experience and very helpful. He left last year, and my new mentor was Richard - again fabulous support, almost always available relatively quickly and able to point me in the right direction. Marking turnaround was typically 1-2 days - shorter than the advertised time too which also helped. I have no hesitation in recommending Fortress Learning to anyone looking to further their VET journey. Many thanks Fortress and the team
Andy Graham
Fortress learning was fantastic in all areas. From the customer support team to the trainers. The support team was always professional at all times and the communication was fantastic. The trainers were knowledgeable, empathetic and supportive during the whole course. I would highly recommend fortress learning. A special mention to Deb who is definitely an asset to the team and any future students.
Clint Parkes
I have recently completed the TAESS00021 Facilitation Skillset, and the training material and content was not only top quality but also interesting. The admin staff and trainers were extremely punctual and helpful. Big thankyou to trainer Deb. I highly recommend training with Fortress Learning.
Sienna hardie
I am so glad that I chose Fortress Learning for my course. The team was available and helpful along my entire journey. It was not easy, but my advisor exceled in encouraging me and enabling me to keep going! I highly recommend Fortress Learning to anyone! They are amazing at what they do.
Tim Hildebrand
Fortress Learning is an outstanding RTO that delivers exceptional training and support. I recently completed my TAE upgrade, and the process was seamless, efficient, and well-structured. A huge thank you to Mel, Jan, and my incredible assessor, Deb, for their guidance and professionalism. Their expertise and dedication truly make them champions of TAE!
Daniela Accary
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.