Ministers statements: Victorian Training Awards
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:16): I was proud to attend the 70th – that is right, the 70th – annual Victorian Training Awards night, and what a night it was. The Victorian Training Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of apprentices, students, teachers, employers and training providers in Victoria’s vocational education and training system. This year’s winners reflect the variety of skills, talent and determination that thrive in the sector. This year I had the privilege of showcasing a beautiful clutch purse made by Box Hill TAFE graphic design and fashion students Carlyn, Matthew and Megan. As always the awards were filled with many inspirational stories of hard work, determination and the transformational impact of high-quality skills and training, from Teacher/Trainer of the Year Dr Adam Bignold, who is teaching cybersecurity and IT at Federation TAFE and whose work demonstrates that TAFE is always at the cutting edge of innovation, to the Koorie Student of the Year Taylor Hampton from Bendigo Kangan Institute, whose certificate IV in leadership and management is helping him in his role as a senior facilitator at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. Melbourne Polytechnic was recognised as the Large Training Provider of the Year, and South West TAFE took home the Industry Collaboration Award for their work on mobile skills labs, enabling training to take place in rural and regional Victoria. Many of the winners will go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra later this year, and we wish them all the very best. I would also like to congratulate every winner and finalist and thank all of the trainers, teachers and supporters for their amazing work over the past 12 months.