South Australia showcased its strength in vocational education and training (VET) at the 2024 Australian Training Awards, securing multiple top honours. The ceremony, held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra, recognised the excellence and achievements of individuals and organisations in the VET sector.
The state took home the Australian School-Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award and the Vocational Student of the Year Award. It also achieved runner-up status in the Apprentice of the Year category. Awards for Large and Small Training Provider of the Year were also both won by South Australian institutions, solidifying the state’s reputation in delivering quality training.
In the field of innovation and pathways in VET, South Australia earned accolades with a Silver in the Innovation in VET Award presented to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC) and another Silver for the School Pathways to VET Award, received by Thebarton Senior College. ANMEC was recognised for its proactive approaches to training in the health and social care sectors, while Thebarton Senior College was distinguished for its effective Gateway to VET Program that equips students with crucial job-ready skills.
State winners included Lara Wilson, who took home the Australian School-Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award. Lara has progressed rapidly towards her dream of becoming a teacher through a traineeship that combines practical experience at Hospital School SA with academic training at MADEC Australia. Zander Lee, who won the Vocational Student of the Year Award, has emerged as a skilled lighting technician after completing a Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services at TAFE SA. Bianca Taylor, named as the runner-up for the Apprentice of the Year Award, has made significant strides in the stonemasonry industry, becoming South Australia’s first qualified female in the trade and establishing her own business.
TAFE SA, awarded the Large Training Provider of the Year, continues to play a pivotal role in vocational education in South Australia, enhancing access and quality through innovation and infrastructure improvements. FCTA – Building Careers, which received the Small Training Provider of the Year Award, was lauded for its dedicated offerings in bricklaying, stonemasonry, tiling, and heritage trades, providing unique and vital skills to preserve Australia’s cultural heritage.
The Hon Andrew Giles MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, highlighted the government’s commitment to the sector, evidenced by a significant investment of $12.6 billion over five years through the National Skills Agreement. He said “The Australian Training Awards are about recognising the dedication and achievements of people in the VET sector and how VET plays a future-shifting role for so many individuals and the communities they live and work in.”
“Looking at the finalists this year, it is clear the VET touches every corner of this country; with representatives from metro, regional and rural communities from all states and territories.”
The Hon Blair Boyer MP, South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills, highlighted the state’s ambitious skills agenda and the critical importance of VET in supporting South Australia’s major projects and economic development. He said “South Australia has a huge skills agenda and to be successful to create the skilled workers for AUKUS, the Torrens to Darlington project, hydrogen, the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and three-year-old preschool, then a strong South Australian skills sector is vital.
“Along with the Commonwealth, we have invested $2.3 billion as part of the National Skills Agreement – an unprecedented level of investment that has seen skills at the centre of our state’s economic growth.
“Since coming into government in March 2022, and focusing our investment, we have seen TAFE enrolment numbers go up – the first time in over a decade – the number of courses offered in regional campuses increase and Fee-Free TAFE allowing 15,000 people to access training they may not have had an opportunity to otherwise. Completions are on the rise, as is vocational training in schools. We have also invested $208 million into five technical colleges that will provide a key role of providing more school students with access to high-quality vocational education programs that will prepare them for the workforce in areas of high demand.”
The 2024 Australian Training Awards not only celebrated individual and organisational achievements but also underscored the collective effort and commitment of the VET community towards nurturing the nation’s talent pool. These awards serve as a significant milestone in acknowledging the efforts and successes of those at the forefront of vocational training in Australia. For more information on the winners and the awards, visit the Australian Training Awards website.
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