Winners Announced
The who’s who of the training sector flew into Brisbane on Friday 25 November to celebrate the best of the best in vocational education and training (VET) at the 2011 Australian Training Awards.
Held annually to coincide with the meeting of the Standing Council on Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, the Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for VET, recognising and rewarding organisations and individuals for their outstanding commitment and contribution to skilling Australia.
Watch the awards night in action
Australian Apprentice of the Year - Colin Wilson
Watch an interview with Colin Wilson
Award winners celebrate
Hon. Peter Charles Collier WA Minister for Training; Minister Collier; Alan Waldron, Ben Young - Hutchinson Builders
Watch an interview with Hutchinson Builders
Excellence in VET was recognised across 17 categories in 2011 including the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to Stella Axarlis AM for her history of distinguished service to VET practice.
This year’s awards also included the inaugural National Focus categories including five awards acknowledging the exemplary role played by those who strive to develop a more skilled, flexible and socially inclusive workforce.
The much coveted Australian Apprentice of the Year accolade was awarded to Victoria’s Colin Wilson from the Yarra Valley’s award winning restaurant Chateau Yering.
Organisations delivering training were recognised over six categories including the highly sought after Employer of the Year Award which was won by Hutchinson Builders from Queensland.
The winner of the Large Training Provider of the Year Award was TAFE SA Regional, recognised for their outstanding commitment to providing VET to over 24,000 students in regional South Australia.
Industry was recognised through the presentation of the inaugural Industry Collaboration Award – presented to SPC ARDMONA for their collaboration with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the National Food Institute in delivering an induction to leadership program in the Goulburn Valley region of Victoria.
The depth of talent of the VET sector was on display at the awards with foyer displays from the Creative Industry Programs unit of Brisbane’s Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE; stunning Queensland inspired floral table centerpieces provided students from the Brisbane North Institute of TAFE; and the Australian Dance Performance Institute provided a breathtaking opening dance performance.
All winners, runners up and finalists of the Australian Training Awards are shining examples of the value of VET in Australia and will go on to be proud and active ambassadors for the sector over the coming year.
Australian Training Awards
The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, recognising and rewarding organisations and individuals for their outstanding contribution to skilling Australia.
A majority of the awards presented at the Australian Training Awards are the culmination of the state and territory training awards with winners from each state and territory eligible to compete at the national finals.
There are also awards available as direct entry to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations such as the Employer of the Year Award*, the International Training Provider of the Year Award** and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Visit the How to Enter section of this website to find out how you or your organisation could win an Australian Training Award.
The 2012 Australian Training Awards will be held in Melbourne on Friday 16 November and include the following categories:
Organisation
- Small Employer of the Year Award
- Employer of the Year Award*
- Small Training Provider of the Year Award
- Large Training Provider of the Year Award
- Industry Collaboration Award
- International Training Provider of the Year Award** (NOW OPEN)
Individual
- Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award
- Vocational Student of the Year Award
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award
- Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year Award
- Australian Apprentice of the Year Award
- VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award (NOW OPEN)
National Focus (NOW OPEN)
The National Focus categories nominated by the Australian Government Minister responsible for Skills, recognise outstanding contributions towards the attainment of Australia’s national VET system priorities. In particular, the categories acknowledge contributions of individuals, schools, businesses and organisations that have had a significant impact on the VET sector.
- Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award
- Community Pathways to VET Award
- School Pathways to VET Award
- Skills for Sustainability - Educational Institution Award
- Leadership in Quality Award
Entries for the National Focus categories are made direct to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Visit the National Focus categories section of this website for more information.
*Entries for the Employer of the Year category can be made through the state or territory training awards. However, if the organisation has operations in at least four states or territories, entries can be made direct to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Visit the How to Enter section of this website for more information on this category.
**Entries for the International Training Provider of the Year Award category are made direct to DEEWR. Visit the How to Enter section of this website for more information on this category.