The Australian Training Awards are the pre-eminent, national awards for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. The awards recognise and reward organisations, training providers and individuals from across Australia for their outstanding commitment and contribution to building a skilled, productive and prosperous economy.
This year’s awards were held on Friday 25th November in Brisbane.
To assist in making the evening a success, a number of individuals and organisations were enlisted to deliver key components. Miss Bree De Rome, a 17 year old former student of Gold Coast Institute of TAFE sang the National Anthem and performed the music throughout the entrée and main course. The floral table centrepieces at the event were created by floristry teachers and students of the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE. The opening dance performance, ‘The Matrix’, was performed by 25 Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Musical Theatre and Commercial Dance students from the Australian Dance Performance Institute. And finally, the Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE’s Creative Industries programs displayed artworks of students in the Great Hall at this year’s event.
Below is a list of the 2011 Australian Training Award winners.
Australian Apprenticeships – Employer Award:
Dardanup Butchering Company, WA
Dardanup Butchering Company is a family owned company, situated in the South West of Western Australia. DBC currently has 35 Australian Apprentices completing Certificates II through to IV and four employees studying at the diploma level.
Leadership in Quality Award:
Jeanette Allen, NSW
Jeanette is the Chief Executive Officer of Service Skills Australia, a not-for-profit, independent organisation that supports skills development across a range of industry sectors. With a fundamental belief in the power of education and how it can change lives, combined with a commitment to deliver outcomes, Jeanette is proud of the balance and underpinning principles that guide her work in VET.
Community Pathways to VET Award:
Western College, NSW
Located in Dubbo, Western College assists its community of over 40,000 people to meet the challenges of geographical isolation, periodic droughts and limited employment options. The college uniquely tailors services for disengaged youth, unemployed adults and people with disabilities and social and economic disadvantages.
School Pathways to VET Award:
John Forrest Secondary, WA
Perth based John Forrest Secondary College caters for approximately 650 students drawn from broad socio economic and ethnic backgrounds. JFSC’s longstanding INSTEP program provides the framework through which a suite of VET pathways are provided for up to 150 students each year. Students utilising the INSTEP program are able to complete their secondary schooling whilst also completing nationally recognised VET qualifications.
Skillls for Sustainability – Educational Institution Award:
TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute
Western Sydney Institute’s world class Green Skills Hub and EcoSkills Centre ensures their students have exposure to the latest green and renewable technologies as part of their training, providing them with opportunities to experience technologies to which they may not yet be exposed.
Small Employer of the Year Award:
Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic, SA
The Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic is committed to investing in vocational education and training in order to create a happy, productive working environment for its staff. With accredited training provided by TAFE South Australia, the clinic’s training is integrated on-the-job, with trainees and veterinary nurse students working hand in hand with the practice manager and doctors.
Employer of the Year Award:
Hutchinson Builders, QLD
Established in 1912, Hutchinson Builders is Queensland’s largest privately owned construction company, employing more than 1000 people, including 160 Australian Apprentices. It is committed to developing skills in-house and spends about $3.7 million annually on education and training.
Small Training Provider of the Year Award:
Equalis, NSW
Operating across metropolitan and regional areas of New South Wales, Equalis offers a wide variety of courses in the Community Services sector. Equalis uses innovation and flexibility to ensure accessible, quality training regardless of geographical location, ability and financial capacity.
Large Training Provider of the Year Award:
TAFE SA, Regional
TAFE SA Regional delivers 573 nationally accredited qualifications at 43 campuses and learning centres across regional South Australia. TAFE SA Regional prides itself on its ability to identify opportunities, overcome challenges and work with and for its communities.
Industry Collaboration Award:
SPC Ardmona
SPC Ardmona and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union have collaborated to develop an induction-to-leadership training program for more than 2,000 workers in the Goulburn Valley. All employees have had the opportunity to undertake Certificate I through to Certificate III courses, which have led to nationally recognised qualifications in the areas of food processing and transport competencies.
VET Teacher/ Trainer of the Year Award:
Amanda Smith, WA (South West Institute of Technology, Margaret River Education Campus)
For more than 30 years, Amanda has worked in the hospitality industry in both Australia and the UK as a chef, manager and trainer. Through her training, Amanda aims to give students an appreciation and understanding of the South West’s local produce.
Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year Award:
Jessica Pendlebury, VIC
Qualification: Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing
Employer: Northern Veterinary Group
Training Provider: GOTAFE
School: Assumption College
Vocational Student of the Year Award:
Vanessa Corbell, SA
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award:
Joshua Toomey, NSW
Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year Award:
Abbey Lee Sergeant, WA
Australian Apprentice of the Year Award:
Colin Wilson, VIC
