Practical training. Stronger communities. Confident workforces.
TLS Training Services delivers workplace training, mentoring and workforce development programs built from more than 16 years supporting remote communities, Aboriginal organisations and local workforces across Australia.
Sixteen years of remote experience, distilled into training that sticks.
Tammy Louise Stephens is a qualified Trainer and Assessor with extensive experience leading teams, developing local capability, and delivering practical training across remote communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Central Australia.
Her background spans remote service management, retail operations, community engagement and workforce development. She builds programs on what she's seen work in practice — trust, relationships, cultural awareness, and learning on the job.
From the shop floor to community leadership.
Remote Services Manager
- Managed community service programs including Child & Family Centre, Justice Reinvestment and Rangers.
- Supported community-led initiatives and mentored emerging Aboriginal leaders.
- Oversaw compliance, reporting and operational planning.
Trainer / Store Manager
- Managed stores across 16 remote communities in NT and WA.
- Delivered workplace training and mentored Aboriginal employees into leadership positions.
- Awarded Store Manager of the Year (2016).
- Communities included Bulman, Beswick, Kalumburu, One Arm Point, Bardi, Ardyaloon, Beagle Bay, Noonkanbah and more.
Business Leadership
- Franchise co-owner — Cash Converters.
- Retail leadership and team management across multiple sites.
Programs built for real workplaces and real people.
Workplace Training & Assessment
Nationally recognised training delivered through practical workplace learning, coaching, and competency development.
Remote Workforce Development
Supporting remote communities and organisations to build sustainable, locally-led workforce capability.
Leadership Mentoring
Developing emerging leaders through coaching, guidance, and real workplace experience.
Community-Based Training
Training delivered within familiar environments to improve confidence, participation and learning outcomes.
Retail Skills Training
Customer service, stock management, POS, workplace systems and leadership development for retail teams.
WHS & Safety Training
Supporting safe workplace practices through practical knowledge and compliance training.
Building skills, confidence and career pathways for students across Top End NT communities
TLS Training Services delivers practical Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs across schools and remote communities throughout the Top End of the Northern Territory.
Our school-based training programs give students the opportunity to experience real workplace learning, develop practical skills, and explore future career pathways while building confidence and industry knowledge.
Through hands-on training, mentoring and nationally recognised programs, we support students to transition from education into further training, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment.
Benefits of Vet in School Programs
VET programs in schools offer a range of benefits that contribute to the overall educational experience and career readiness of students. Here are some of the key advantages:
01
Practical Skills
VET programs provide students with hands-on experience and practical skills relevant to specific industries, preparing them for future employment.
02
Career Exploration
Students can explore various career options and develop skills for further study and employment.
03
Skill Development
VET allows students to gain practical and work-related skills relevant to a specific industry.
04
Support for Students
Government schools support SBATs through the Head Start program, providing additional funding to cover extra costs.
05
Industry Recognition
VET is nationally recognized training that develops practical and industry-specific knowledge and skills.
06
Pathways to Further Education
Students can study VET through school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, contributing towards the completion of the VCE or VPC.
07
Diverse Opportunities
VET provides diverse pathways for students, catering to different learning preferences and career aspirations.
08
Engagement and Retention
VET programs offer practical, hands-on learning experiences that can improve student engagement and retention rates.
09
Preparation for the Future
VET equips students with adaptable skills that are in demand across various sectors.
Training that works because it happens where people work.
Classroom learning has its place, but capability is built through doing the job alongside someone who's been there. Tammy combines workplace-based learning, practical demonstrations and one-to-one mentoring with a deep respect for culture and community.
- Workplace-based learning
- Practical demonstrations
- Cultural responsiveness
- Relationship-based training
- Individual mentoring
- Real workplace experience
- Increased confidence
- Stronger workforce capability
- Better employee retention
- Practical skill development
- Improved leadership pathways
Training programs that delivered.
Outback Stores Training Program
Years of in-store training across remote NT and WA communities — supporting Aboriginal team members through Certificate II Retail and into supervisory roles.
- Training delivered in current workplaces
- Online learning combined with practical experience
- Students trained in familiar environments
- Supports Certificate II Retail completion
Ranger & White Card Training
Working alongside local rangers and crews to deliver practical safety training, White Card preparation and workplace mentoring.
- Hands-on workplace experience
- White Card preparation and mentoring
- Pathways into local employment
Papunya Community Programs
Community-led initiatives focused on families, young people, safety and building local skills.
- Child & Family Centre
- Junior Rangers Program
- Justice Reinvestment Program
- White Card training and mentoring
Moments from communities Tammy works with.
Sixteen years of relationships, stores, schools, ranger crews and family centres across the Top End, the Kimberley and Central Australia.
Qualifications & certifications.
Nationally recognised qualifications backed by years of on-the-ground experience.
- Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116)
- Certificate IV in Retail Management (SIR40316)
- Certificate IV in Retail
- Certificate III in Retail
- Certificate II in Retail Services
- Prepare to Work Safely in Construction
- White Card
- Forklift trainer/Assessor
- Senior First Aid
- Responsible Service of Alcohol
- Food Safety Certification
- Working With Children Check
Experience built from the ground up.
- 01 16+ years supporting remote communities
- 02 Strong understanding of culturally responsive training
- 03 Experienced manager and trainer
- 04 Practical industry knowledge
- 05 Proven ability to develop local leaders
- 06 Strong community relationships
- 07 Nationally recognised qualifications
A journey built around people and possibility.
Born in Perth, Western Australia, Tammy built successful businesses before turning her focus to remote community work. What began as a new chapter became a calling.
Over the past 16 years she has lived and worked across 16 remote communities — managing stores, training teams, mentoring leaders, and walking alongside people as they built confidence and careers.
Now based in Darwin, Tammy balances community work with the things that keep her grounded — family, friends, and chasing a barra on the Top End rivers.
TLS Training Services is the next step in that journey: sharing what she’s learned with the organisations doing important work in remote and regional Australia.
Let's build stronger workforces together.
Whether you're a government agency, community organisation or business with a remote workforce, Tammy would love to hear what you're working on.
Darwin, Northern Territory
0418150791