We are incredibly proud to announce that Gerard O’Neill has been named Traffic Management Trainer of the Year at the Traffic Management Association of Australia (TMAA) 2024 Awards. This recognition is a testament to Gerard’s dedication, professionalism, and passion for elevating safety and training standards across Australia’s traffic management industry.
A Leader in Training Excellence
Since joining CivilEdge in June 2022, Gerard has become an invaluable member of our team. Starting as a trainer and assessor for courses in Traffic Control, Traffic Management Implementation, and Prepare a Workzone Traffic Management Plan in NSW, Gerard’s role quickly expanded due to his commitment to quality and innovation.
Over the past two years, he has broadened his scope to deliver training in:
· Operate a TMA, White Card, and Certificate II and III in Civil Construction courses
· The new Austroads AGTTM “Train the Trainer” program — helping other trainers transition to the new national standards
· Traffic management courses across multiple states, after earning the relevant accreditations to ensure CivilEdge can deliver nationally consistent, high-quality training
Gerard’s dedication extends well beyond the classroom. He has travelled extensively across Australia since 2023, often spending long periods away from home to ensure that traffic professionals everywhere have access to quality education and nationally harmonised training.
Two Decades of Industry Experience
With over 20 years in the Traffic Management industry, Gerard brings an exceptional depth of knowledge and experience. His career has spanned multiple roles — from traffic controller and supervisor to operations manager — before becoming a trainer and assessor in 2014.
He transitioned into training after recognising a need for consistent, high-quality instruction in the industry. Since then, Gerard has been instrumental in shaping safer and more capable professionals across Australia’s civil construction and traffic management sectors.
A Passion for People and Learning
What truly sets Gerard apart is his unique approach to education. Every class is different, and Gerard takes the time to understand each student’s learning style and background. He believes that creating a comfortable and engaging environment allows students to participate fully, ask questions freely, and retain knowledge more effectively.
As Gerard often says:
“If a student feels comfortable and secure in their classroom environment, they enjoy participating in their learning and retain so much more — meaning they will be safer on the roads.”
His engaging teaching style and calm, approachable nature have helped countless students build confidence — from first-time trainees to seasoned professionals looking to upskill.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Gerard’s drive to continually refine and improve training quality sets a benchmark for the industry. After each course, he carefully reviews student assessments to gauge how effectively his real-world examples and practical lessons resonate. He balances documentation and live scenario learning to ensure students not only pass assessments but truly understand how to apply knowledge safely on-site.
To remain at the forefront of the industry, Gerard stays current by:
· Actively working within traffic management operations to maintain hands-on experience
· Subscribing to leading industry bodies such as TMAA, Austroads, and Roads Australia
· Collaborating with Austroads on the delivery of the AGTTM skillsets to trainers nationwide
This ongoing engagement with live projects and evolving standards ensures Gerard’s training remains practical, current, and relevant.
At CivilEdge, we’re privileged to have Gerard as part of our team. His leadership, expertise and passion inspire not only his students but also his peers and colleagues every day.