November 2008     Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has congratulated all finalists in the 2008 Australian Training Awards.  The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for vocational education and training, recognising innovation and excellence in the training sector.

Minister Gillard and State and Territory Ministers will announce the winners at a gala event in Darwin tonight, 20 November.  This national event will see winners from the various State and Territory training awards vying for the national title in a range of categories.

Student Award finalists

Each State/Territory has a finalist in these categories

    Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
    Vocational Student of the Year
    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
    Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
    Australian Apprentice of the Year

Organisational Award Finalists

From across Australia, three organisations were selected as finalists in each of the following categories:

    Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year
    Australian Training Initiative
    VET in Schools Excellence
    Small Training Provider of the Year
    Large Training Provider of the Year
    Employer of the Year

For more information, including links to more details of the finalists, please visit http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au. List of finalists attached.

Attachment A – Student finalists

Finalists for the Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year

ACT  Natasha Lilley  Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
NSW  Brenton Pearce  Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery
QLD  Rohan Greer  Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Systems Electrician)
VIC  Melinda Stephens  Certificate III in Clothing Production
SA  Ricky Foran  Certificate III in Automotive (Diesel)
TAS  Melanie McCoy  Certificate III in Children’s Services
NT  Graeme Talbot  Certificate III in Conservation Land Management

NB: there was no entry from Western Australia in this particular category

Finalists for Vocational Student of the Year

ACT  Elizabeth Jordan  Advance Diploma of Naturopathy
NSW  Jill Morris  Diploma of Community Welfare Work
QLD  Jenifer Wycha  Certificate III and IV in Information Technology (Networking)
VIC  Lauren Johansson  Diploma of Community Services (Youth Work)
SA  Debra Franks  Certificate IV in Community Services (Youth Work)
TAS  Julie Cleaver  Diploma of Statutory Child Protection
NT  Laura Brothers  Diploma of Training and Assessment

NB: there was no entry from the Northern Territory in this particular category

Finalists for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

ACT  Denise Dixon  Certificate IV in Alcohol and Certificate IV in Alcohol and other Drugs Work
NSW  Michael Donovan  Certificate III Engineering Fabrication Trade
QLD  Bernard Pope  Diploma of Nursing (Pre-enrolment)
VIC  Linda Bamblett  Diploma of Youth Work and Diploma in Business (Frontline Mgnt)
WA  James Palmer  Certificate IV in Teacher Assistant (Indigenous)
SA  Bernice Lawton  Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
TAS  Olive Ralph  Certificate IV in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft
NT  Natasha Abbott  Certificate III in Business

Finalists for the Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year

ACT  Clinton Scott-Knight  Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
NSW  Hannah Cubis  Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management)
QLD  Matthew Graham  Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipelaying)
VIC  Matter Machar  Certificate IV in Youth Work and Protective Care
WA  Joanna Wren  Certificate IV in Horticulture
SA  Heather Rogers  Certificate IV in Government
TAS  Florence Wren  Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision)
NT  Tiffany Knight  Certificate III in Business

Finalists for the Australian Apprentice of the Year

ACT  Rachael Keiley  Certificate III in Plumbing
NSW  Daniel Crisp  Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Systems Electrician)
QLD  Rachel Niemann  Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)
VIC  Lucinda Brundell  Certificate III in General Construction (Painting and Decorating)
WA  Ashlee Scinocco  Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)
SA  Daniel Austin  Certificate III in Horticulture
TAS  Matthew Barwick  Certificate III in Construction (Carpentry and Joinery)
NT  Kirsty Bulluss  Certificate III in Hairdressing

For more information, visit: http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/2008+Student+Finalists/

Attachment B - Organisational Finalists

Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year

NSW  Midson Road Childcare Centre
VIC  Sweeney Todd Waste Disposal
WA  Verriers Engineering

Australian Training Initiative

VIC  Swinburne University of Technology
TAS  Industrylink Training
NT  Group Training Northern Territory

VET in Schools Excellence

VIC  Geelong North V&T Cluster
WA  Central West TAFE
SA  Thebarton Senior College

Small Training Provider of the Year

NSW  Directions Australia
WA  Australian College of Training
TAS  Industrylink Training

Large Training Provider of the Year

ACT  Canberra Institute of Technology
QLD  Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
VIC  Wodonga Institute of TAFE

Employer of the Year

ACT  The Vikings Group
NSW  Weir Minerals Australia
SA  Pernod Ricard Pacific

 

From information provided by the education minister, 20 November 2008