2015 Victorian Training Awards Winners Announced

Victoria’s apprentice, trainee and training teacher of the year were among the winners announced at last night’s 2015 Victorian Training Awards.

Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert congratulated the winners in each of the 14 judged categories, adding they represented the brightest and the best of Victoria’s vocational education and training sector.

The awards – held during National Skills Week – showcase innovation and excellence in our TAFE and training system.

For the first time, members of the public had the chance to vote in this year’s awards, deciding the outcome of a new Community Choice Award, which Minister Herbert created.

Apprentice Marlon Young-Healy who trained at Box Hill Institute was the inaugural Community Choice Award winner.

This year’s winners shared in more than $110,000 in prize money and many will have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the 2015 Australian Training Awards in Hobart in November.

Mr Herbert said that building a better TAFE and training system was a key part of the Andrews Labor Government’s plan to establish Victoria as the Education State.

The Labor Government has launched a range of initiatives to better support Victorians to develop the skills they need for the jobs they want, including:

  • The $320 million TAFE Rescue Fund, which is investing in new facilities and supporting TAFEs to better meet their obligations to the community;
  • $50 million for the TAFE Back to Work Fund to support TAFE institutes to partner with industry to deliver 7000 new apprenticeships and traineeships in growing and emerging industries;
  • The independent VET Funding Review, which is developing a more sustainable and stable funding model to better meet the skills needs of Victorians for the long-term; and
  • Accepting all 19 recommendations of the Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s VET System to improve training quality and restore student and employer confidence.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert

“I congratulate all winners, and finalists, on their achievements. They are the brightest and best from across our TAFE and training sector.”

“Each of the winners demonstrates how quality training is supporting people from across our state to develop the skills they need for the job they want.”

“We’re investing in skills and training and transforming Victoria into the Education State, to prepare young Victorians for the jobs of the future.”

2015 Victorian Training Award Winners:

Community Choice Award Winner (popular vote)

Marlon Young-Healy

Training Provider: Box Hill Institute
Individual Categories

Victorian School-based Apprentice of the Year

Elliott Grayling, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrical

Training Provider: Sunraysia Institute of TAFE

Employer: Grayling Electrical

School: Mildura Senior College

Victorian Trainee of the Year

Kerrilyn Bassett, Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production)

Training Provider: Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE)

Employer: Peppertree Dairy Pty Ltd

Victorian Apprentice of the Year

Christopher Henbery, Certificate III in Horticulture (Retail Nursery)

Training Provider: Swinburne University (Wantirna Campus)

Employer: Gardenworld Nursery, Braeside

Victorian Koorie Student of the Year

Jnaallii Penrith, Diploma of Business

Training Provider: Melbourne Polytechnic

Employer: Victorian Aboriginal Health Services

Victorian Vocational Student of the Year

Luke Alderton, Diploma of Screen &Media (Radio &TV)

Training Provider: Holmesglen Institute of TAFE

Victorian VET Teacher/ Trainer of the Year

Kate Herbert, Swinburne University of Technology

Organisational Categories

Victorian VET in Schools Excellence Award

Geelong Industry Trade Training Centre

Victorian VET Client Services/ Support Excellence Award

Shane Lawtey, Team Leader, Student Life and Media (SLAM), Melbourne Polytechnic

Victorian Industry Collaboration Award

Lyndoch Living Aged Care Training Initiative, a collaboration between South West Institute of TAFE and Lyndoch Living

Victorian Employer of the Year

McDonald’s Australia Ltd

Victorian Small Training Provider of the Year

Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre

Victorian Large Training Provider of the Year

Wodonga TAFE

Victorian Employer Award for Apprentice Development

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce

Victorian Community Training Provider of the Year

Nhill Neighbourhood House Learning Centre

 

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