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Skills Tasmania

2022 Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2022 Award winners!

Individual Awards

1Apprentice of the Year - Jack Wilson

Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Crusader Homes

Jack has completed a Certificate III Carpentry and Joinery through TasTAFE with employer Crusader Homes. Jack has always enjoyed creating with his hands, and throughout high school flourished in classes that had a hands-on approach.  In Year 10, he was chosen for the TasBGAS ‘Building for the Future’ program which gave him work-experience and the clarity that the construction industry was right for him. In 2018, he gained work experience with Crusader Homes and was offered a Certificate III Carpentry/Joinery including the tools and everything he needed to start. His hope is that he can share his positive experience with newcomers and offer support to inspire others. Jack will represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

2Trainee of the Year - Natasha Robins

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Work & Training at host employer Hopkins Dental

Natasha came to the dental industry through chance. Having worked in the hospitality industry for some years, Natasha went looking for something different and did a Certificate course in Business at TasTAFE before a chance conversation at Work & Training provided an entrĂ©e to the dental industry. Natasha successfully received a traineeship and is completing a Certificate III in Dental Assisting with Hopkins Dental. She says her traineeship had the greatest impact on her life – “It challenges me every day and provides the most rewarding feeling at every step.” Natasha will represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

3Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Nathan Pitchford

Certificate IV in Project Management Practice

Training Provider: Institute of Project Management

Employer: Nayri Niara

This year Nathan took his first steps back into formalised training for over 20 years. The Our Way Home journey of study has led Nathan to gain confidence to study as a Cultural Producer with Nayri Niara. Studying a Certificate IV in Project Management with the Institute of Project Management has enabled Nathan to undertake a role consisting of event management and cultural knowledge-sharing with a strong community engagement element. The group work with the Nayri Niara team provided a stimulating, collaborative learning environment and has allowed Nathan to gain greater respect for himself and to communicate in deeper and different ways with people through dance, ceremony and connecting meaningfully with Country. Nathan will represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

4Vocational Student of the Year - Fleur Broadhurst

Certificate III in Education Support

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: St Patrick’s College

Fleur’s experience proves that the combination of being brave, believing in yourself and hard work can help you realise your dreams. In December 2021, Fleur gained her Certificate III in Education Support and is now employed as a full-time Teacher’s Aide at St Patricks College in Launceston working with children with learning difficulties. During the pandemic she decided to take the plunge into study, knowing that she had to balance study, working four days a week, alongside looking after her children and supporting her husband’s business. Fleur says she has achieved a dream, gained self-belief and  determination to attain her goal by completing the course. Fleur will represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

5School-based Trainee of the Year - Abbey Quinn

Certificate III in Individual Support

School/College: Rosny College

Training Provider: AETS

Employer: May Shaw, Swansea

Abbey’s personal health care journey was the main reason that she wanted to pursue a career in the health sector. When in grade 9 at Triabunna High School Abbey undertook a short work placement at May Shaw, Swansea. Abbey loved the experience and, in her words, couldn’t keep away from the nursing home so she started volunteering, doing everything from kitchen duties to taking residents out to lunch, and painting residents’ finger nails. After volunteering for 18 months Abbey was rewarded by being offered a school-based apprenticeship at the centre. The opportunity meant Abbey could achieve her TCE at Rosny College, and a qualification in her intended career. Abbey will represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

6VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year - Matthew Fraser

TasTAFE

Matt teaches commercial cookery, hospitality and tourism and events programs at TasTAFE in Devonport. Matt brings passion to his teaching and has been able to bring different business units together to work on shared programs to benefit all students. He says one of his proudest achievements has been the training and mentorship of two apprentices in the Australian Culinary Federation Competition and the Nestle Golden Chef competitions in 2021, where both students came first in their relevant competitions in Tasmania and will represent Tasmania at a National Level. Matthew will also represent Tasmania at a national level – at the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide, in November.

7VET in Schools Student of the Year - Freya Milic

Certificate III in Health Service Assistance

School/College: Hobart College

Training Provider: Department of Education RTO

Freya completed Certificate II in Health Service Assistance in 2021, and is now undertaking the Certificate III qualification which she hopes will help her career in nursing. Freya has always wanted to be a nurse and felt that the VET certificates would provide her with a strong foundation for the health services sector. Facing some personal adversity head on, Freya has proved that strength, courage, determination and commitment to turn her life around can achieve positive outcomes. Freya has found her passion and the pathway to take to reach her goal.

8Equity Vocational Student of the Year - Isabelle King

Certificate II in Community Service

Hobart College

Training Provider: Department of Education RTO

Izzy is a year 12 student at Hobart College and has Cerebral Palsy, which means she is in a wheelchair.  Chosen from a strong field of finalists, Izzy stood out due to the challenges she has overcome, her approach to achieving her career goal and her future focus of competing in the Paralympics.  “My future goals are to enrol in TasTAFE and work in a childcare centre. A dream that I have is to compete in wheelchair racing at the Paralympics. The best way for me to do that is to continue my participation with Sandy Bay Athletics Club, Athletics Tasmania and completing my scholarship with the Institute of Sport Tasmania. “I think my VET course has given me the confidence to know that anything is possible, and it has taught me the importance of having supportive and encouraging people around me.”

9Equity Trainee of the Year - Lindsay Britton

Certificate IV in Disability

Training Provider: Avidity Training and Development

Employer: Noss Inc

Lindsay found the disability training was very different to his previous work and thrived in the environment, bringing his life experience and skills to his workplace NOSS, and with support from trainer provider Avidity Training and Development. He found a new love for support work and a passion to help people achieve the best quality of life possible by applying the skills learnt in his course.  Since completing his Certificate III, he has enrolled in a traineeship in Certificate IV in Disability to further his knowledge and skills. “I look forward to exploring further studies relevant to the care industry in the future.”

Business Awards

10Small Employer of the Year - The Dental Surgery Newstead

The Dental Surgery, Newstead is a locally owned and operated dental care provider located in Launceston. They offer a full range of general dental services to people from all walks of life. They are pleased to provide a relaxed but professional atmosphere for both patients and staff and have achieved this by providing comfortable facilities, great working conditions, an outstanding team environment and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Training has been essential in supporting the comprehensive provision of general dental services within the growing Practice. At the time of their application, 25 percent of the workforce were enrolled in training contracts for both Certificate III and Certificate IV level qualifications. Under the Practice’s current ownership which commenced in 2011, 19 staff have successfully completed or are currently enrolled in vocational education, with qualifications including Certificate IV in Professional Practice Management, Certificate IV in Leadership and Management, and both Certificate III and IV in Dental Assisting. The Dental Surgery Newstead will be nominated for the Australian Training Awards to be held in Adelaide, in November.

11Large Employer of the Year - Incat Tasmania

Incat Tasmania sets the global benchmark in aluminum ship technology, building fast, light weight, flexible, and efficient vehicle-passenger ferries.  The large Ro-Pax wave piercing catamarans, capable of carrying over 1000 passengers and hundreds of vehicles have found service on tourist and commuter routes around the world.

Incat’s Prince of Wales Bay shipyard employs over 400 men and women. Their skills include naval architects, designers, administration, R&D, and quality assurance, all of whom are working alongside the many welders, fabricators, engineers, electronics technicians, electricians, and other skilled tradespersons.

Incat’s global success in a competitive market results from its reputation for quality and excellence in production, which is supported by an experienced and dedicated workforce. Training is an integral element of Incat’s success. With two intakes of apprentices per year, and maintaining an average of 70 apprentices in training, our apprentices graduate into employment, with ongoing training, throughout our shipyard.  Incat Tasmania will be nominated for the Australian Training Awards to be held in Adelaide, in November.

12Large Training Provider of the Year - Avidity Training and Development

Avidity Training and Development is an award-winning Registered Training Organisation (RTO) operating throughout Tasmania for over 13 years. The RTO specialises in the provision of training for the community services industry (predominately the disability sector).

Their purpose is to provide excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET). Their vision is that every learner has access to quality VET products that are affordable, available when needed and tailored to meet their individual needs. To achieve their purpose, Avidity Training and Development provides a wide range of services, from face to face training of nationally recognised qualifications to disengaged members of the community, to developing training plans to address the identified needs of an industry or industry sector, in consultation with relevant peak bodies and employers.

The RTO employs staff who have extensive experience working in the community services and disability sector.  Their employees are committed to sharing their skills and knowledge back to their chosen industries through the provision of quality, innovative, outcome focussed training and assessment programs.

Avidity Training and Development is very proud of its achievements and passionate about the work it does.

Special Awards

13The Trevor Leo Medal - Jacqui Maclaine

The 2022 Trevor Leo Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution to vocational education and training in Tasmania over a sustained period. This year’s recipient is Jacqui Maclaine, who is recognised for her unselfish support for participants in the VET sector.

14The Lance Barnard Memorial Award - Amelia Nankivell

The Lance Barnard Memorial Award is presented to an apprentice or trainee by the Apprenticeship Employment Network Tasmania. The 2022 recipient is Amelia Nankivell who is employed by Work & Training at Mountain Heights School in Queenstown.