We’d like you to meet Nick Molnar, Head of Recruitment at Learning Online Group – the man who’s been here since day one, when “the office” was a garage and the desk was a pool table. From his start in sales to becoming the architect of our recruitment, people and culture strategy, Nick’s story mirrors the evolution of Learning Online Group itself.
The Origin Story
Take us back to day one – what was the Learning Online Group office like when you first walked in? Was it just you and a coffee machine, or was there already a team plotting world domination?
When we first started, there wasn’t even an office. We actually set ourselves up in Jason’s pappou’s garage, using this giant old pool table as our makeshift desk. We’d all be standing around it with our laptops and headphones, pitching and hustling from the garage like it was mission control. It was scrappy, but that energy and grit really set the tone for how we’ve grown since.
What was your “wait, we’re actually doing this?” moment when you realised Learning Online Group was going to make a real change in education?
My “wait, we’re actually doing this” moment came when we outgrew our office on Level 7. We had maybe 15–20 people at the time, and suddenly we needed a lot more space. Moving into the Level 8 office, which was more than four times the size, really hit me – this was no longer just a small startup. We were building something real, with a team that was growing fast, and starting to make a genuine impact in education.
Be honest – did you ever imagine you’d go from starting in sales to becoming the guardian of HR and recruitment for a company transforming thousands of careers?
Not at all – I definitely didn’t anticipate this. I actually started out in a sales role within the company, and little did I know the path I’d eventually take. Over time, I found myself drawn into the people side of the business, and one step led to another until I was managing recruitment and HR. It’s been a journey I never saw coming, but one I’m really grateful for.
The Journey & Evolution
What’s the most ridiculous problem you had to solve in the early days that makes you laugh now but probably wasn’t funny at the time?
In the early days, one of the most ridiculous problems we had to solve was just trying to get five of us to work in a garage at the same time. We were all crowded around a giant pool table with laptops and headphones, pitching ideas over each other, trying not to knock anything over. At the time, it was hectic and stressful, but looking back now, it’s hilarious to think that’s where the Learning Online Group story really started.
If you had to describe the evolution of Learning Online Group using only breakfast foods as metaphors, how would you tell our story?
In the beginning, we were like instant coffee and toast – simple, quick, and just enough to get us going while we figured things out. As we grew, we became more like a full bacon-and-eggs brekkie – a bit heartier, with more variety, and starting to feel like something substantial. These days, I’d say we’re more like a full buffet spread – there’s something for everyone, plenty of options, and the quality keeps getting better.
Culture & Team Building
Describe the Learning Online Group culture in three words.
Driven. Dynamic. Down-to-earth. (Glad you work in Recruitment and not Finance Nick!)
You’ve hired a lot of our team – what’s your secret sauce for spotting someone who’ll thrive in our particular brand of organised chaos?
I think the real “secret sauce” is looking for go-getters – people who bring a positive, can-do attitude and the kind of energy that lifts the room. Skills can be taught, but that drive and willingness to lean into the organised chaos is what really makes someone thrive here.
If Learning Online Group employees were a superhero team, what would our collective superpower be?
If we were a superhero team, our collective superpower would definitely be the ability to talk the leg off a chair. We’ve got a lot of big personalities in the business and plenty of gifted speakers with the gift of the gab. It’s what makes us so good at connecting with people and getting them excited about what we do.
Recruitment & People Philosophy
What makes someone go from “decent candidate” to “we NEED this person on our team” in your book?
It’s all about that spark – the energy and initiative that shows they’re not just looking for a job, but ready to contribute something special to what we’re building.
Red flags in interviews – what makes you think “this person would struggle here” even if they look perfect on paper?
For me, the biggest red flag is a lack of energy or initiative. On paper someone might tick every box, but if they can’t show curiosity, positivity, or that drive to roll with the punches, I know they’ll struggle here. Our environment moves fast and thrives on people who lean in with a can-do attitude – without that spark, even the most qualified person won’t find it easy.
The Business Impact
Walk us through the evolution of our teams – which department or role didn’t exist in year one that you now couldn’t imagine functioning without?
The tutor team, hands down. In the very beginning, we actually didn’t have any tutors on board for the first month or two. But once we brought them in and started building out that side of the business, it quickly became clear they were the backbone of what we do. Today, they’re the foundation that gets our students through their studies – we’d honestly be lost without them.
How do you explain to your mates at a barbecue why online vocational training isn’t just “watching YouTube videos and getting a certificate”?
Watching YouTube is like watching the highlights of the footy. Online Training is like actually getting on the field, copping a tackle, and still having to kick straight. One’s fun, the other one proves you can actually play.
Innovation & Future Vision
What innovation or change at Learning Online Group made even you – someone who’s seen it all – think “okay, that’s actually brilliant”?
The continuous evolution of our student support systems has been remarkable – watching how we’ve refined the journey from enrolment to graduation never gets old.
What industry are we NOT in yet that you secretly think would be perfect for the Learning Online Group treatment?
If I’m being honest, I’d love to see us tackle online music-based courses – and I might be biased as a music nerd myself! There’s so much untapped potential for helping aspiring musicians and creators develop their skills, build their careers, and turn their passion into something real, all with the kind of support and structure Learning Online Group is known for.
Personal Reflections
What’s one early company tradition or quirk that we’ve kept, and one that we’ve outgrown?
One early tradition we absolutely loved was Friday afternoon beers – it was such a huge part of our company culture that no one would ever want to miss it. These days it still happens from time to time, but not quite at the same level. As for something we’ve outgrown, I’d say the “all-hands-on-deck in a garage” vibe from day one – we’ve grown past the scrappy startup stage into something a lot more structured.
If you had to recruit yourself into the company today, how would you sell Nick to Nick?
If I had to recruit myself today, I’d sell Nick as someone who gets things done, brings energy and positivity to every challenge, and knows how to build and support a team that actually thrives. Basically, I’d tell Nick: “You want me on your team – I make things happen.”
The Bigger Picture
What do you want every potential student to know about us that isn’t on our website?
What I want every potential student to know is that we truly care about them as people, not just as students. Our team is here to support every step of their journey – helping them complete their studies, build confidence, and ultimately follow their dreams in the career they’ve always wanted. Seeing our students succeed is what drives everything we do.
Complete this sentence: “The best thing about working at Learning Online Group is _____, but if I’m being honest, the free _____ doesn’t hurt either.”
The best thing about working at Learning Online Group is the people – their energy, positivity, and how they make even the craziest days fun – but if I’m being honest, the free coffee doesn’t hurt either.
Nick has been instrumental in building Learning Online Group from a garage start-up to an international education provider serving over 15,000 students across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK. As Head of Recruitment, he continues to shape the company’s people-first culture, ensuring every new team member brings the same energy and drive that’s defined Learning Online Group since day one.
Learning Online Group now supports over 15,000 students globally since 2019, providing job-ready skills as a modern alternative to traditional education. Explore our specialized brands including: Australian Beauty School, Omnia Tattoo Academy, NZ Beauty School, Australian Photography School and My Learning Online.
