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Skills Tasmania

2023 Awards Winners

Congratulations to our 2023 Award winners!

Images of the 2023 Tasmanian Training Awards evening can be located here.

Individual Awards

1Apprentice of the Year - Jake Chilcott

Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Bell Bay Aluminium

Jake Chilcott says being able to give back to the junior apprentices in his workplace is a satisfying outcome of achieving his qualification at his workplace, Bell Bay Aluminium. He started in the electrical industry because of the challenge of working on complex projects and to be part of a constantly evolving industry where there is always something new to learn and challenges to tackle. Jake is excited to be part of an industry that is at the forefront of innovation and is helping shape the future.

2Trainee of the Year - Catherine Jones

Certificate III in Hospitality

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Cataract on Paterson

Catherine joined Cataract on Paterson in 2021 as a Hospitality Trainee and has been able to expand her experience to also become involved in organising the venue’s themed events. She trains new team members and enjoys the opportunity to apply her skills to ensure the experiences for guests is second to none. She is looking forward to advocating for the opportunities that are available in the hospitality industry.

3Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Bradley Maynard

Certificate IV in Work, Health and Safety

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Crisp Bros. and Haywards

Bradley has a deep background with VET having undertaken an apprenticeship in Boilermaking Welding, Engineering – Fabrication as well as a certification in Project Management. He pursued the opportunity to upskill in Work, Health and Safety knowing that it would benefit his role with Crisp Brothers. He has enjoyed the opportunity to build his team and leadership skills which has also been beneficial for his work in Army Reserves. His motto is ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’

4Vocational Student of the Year - Naomi Cox

Certificate IV in Leadership and Management

Training Provider: Learning Partners

Naomi was sharing the Rosebery Neighbourhood House coordinator’s role when she took the initiative to study Leadership and Management. Overcoming some challenges to access training, the course has opened opportunities, providing her with the skills to manage complex situations and positively influence others. She has recently canvassed her council to improve recreation facilities for young people in her region. Naomi has built on her initial course and in May this year commenced a career in the health industry.

5School-based Apprentice of the Year - Indiana Corbin

Rosny College

Certificate III in Patisserie

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Jean-Pascal Patisserie

Indiana has a great passion for cooking and this prompted her to commence a commercial cookery course with the goal of working as a patisserie chef in the future. When the opportunity arose to change her school-based apprenticeship to patisserie Indiana was delighted and she has recently commenced a role with Jean-Pascal Patisserie. Indiana believes that VET has the power to help people realise their goals and has been inspired through her learning.

6VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year - Kirsten Bacon

Department for Education, Children and Young People RTO at Elizabeth College

Kirsten brings her passions as a chef, hospitality teacher, food writer and passionate all-rounder to her role as a VET Teacher of Hospitality at Elizabeth College. Working in the sector for 40 years, Kirsten brings her incredible experiences of working throughout the world to the classroom. She is fiercely committed to her students and works tirelessly to ensure the VET experience is real, engaging, challenging and rewarding. Kirsten is committed to ensuring that all her students are given amazing opportunities to practice their craft and be involved in industry activities and real events. She is an active ambassador for VET.

7VET in Schools Student of the Year - Bonnie Clark

Guilford Young College

Certificate III in Individual Support

Training Provider: Guilford Young College RTO

A love of helping others and working in the medical sector encouraged Bonnie to undertake her course which she sees as a stepping-stone to a Bachelor of Nursing. Bonnie has enjoyed the challenges of the learning and says that the teamwork needed in the course has built confidence, communication, and interpersonal skills as well as reinforcing that she made the right choice for her career. She embodies the compassion needed for the role and says VET has allowed her leadership abilities to come to the fore.

8Equity Vocational Student of the Year - Drew Wellard

Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics

Training Provider: Department for Education,
Children and Young People RTO at Elizabeth College

Drew’s goal is to work in the fashion industry and has his sights set on attending a design college in Melbourne to build on his learning experiences in Retail Cosmetics, Beauty Therapy and Design. Drew has demonstrated commitment to his studies overcoming a personal challenges and dynamic living situation to achieve his career and life goals.

9Equity Apprentice/Trainee of Year - Maryam Azizi

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Work & Training
at host employer Oral Health Services

Maryam’s journey which started as a refugee from Afghanistan with very little English, to become a qualified Dental Assistant, is nothing short of astounding. She has demonstrated incredible resilience and leadership supporting her family throughout the experience, gaining additional VET courses, working with Students Against Racism and mentoring others from the refugee community to explore the VET path as a way of giving back.

Business Awards

10Small Employer of the Year - Bridgewater Police and Community Youth Club

The Bridgewater PCYC is a community-based support
organisation operating since 1976. Providing localised
support initiatives, the organisation operates over a wide ranging
area in Hobart’s Northern, Eastern and outlying
regions.

Prioritising early intervention, the organisation has
developed a host of integrated services to provide
holistic support that develops resilience and enhances
opportunity.

With an innovative and progressive model, the
Bridgewater PCYC strives to achieve individual goals
for the future benefit of both our community and our
youth. Founded on genuine community engagement,
the Bridgewater PCYC has become a part of the very
communities it serves to support.

(Photo: Samantha Sutcliffe and Justin Abrahams)

11Large Employer of the Year - Stornoway Maintenance

Stornoway is a privately-owned, values-led Tasmanian company that has been part of the Australian business community for 45 years. We deliver infrastructure services nationally to local government, state government, government businesses and the private sector.

Today we provide expertise in infrastructure services including road maintenance and asset management, bridge maintenance, water and wastewater treatment, civil and maintenance works, specialised tree and vegetation services, traffic management design and delivery and specialist access services.

Recognising our success results from team members who want to learn and grow, we aim to commence training our people before they arrive and then ensure their ongoing competency. This is backed by a focus on local training providers and breaking down barriers to employment by partnering with various local industry
and community groups.

Stornoway’s culture is one that enables everyone to thrive. Investing in training is not just about financial commitment, it is value and impact.

(Photo: Tim Gardner and Jason Reed)

12Small Training Provider of the Year - Scala The Training Company

At Scala, we are passionate about empowering Tasmanians, boosting their potential with engaging and innovative training programs in business, retail, leadership and more. Our offerings range from bespoke workshops, short courses, qualifications and tailored organisational solutions, enriching over 15,000 participants to date with skills and tools for success. Scala is dedicated to enhancing the capability, confidence, and success of individuals and businesses alike, by providing an unforgettable learning experience.

As one of Tasmania’s leaders in professional training, we aim to impact 25,000 lives by 2025, with the impending launch of Scala’s Alumni Network, and our promise of sustained engagement and continuous growth opportunities. Scala is set on transforming the VET sector, through creativity, innovation and delivering training with real-world relevance.

(Photo: Steve Wiggers and Tracey Warmbrunn)

13Large Training Provider of the Year - Learning Partners

Learning Partners (LP) has delivered high quality VET programs over for 29 years. They were one of the first Tasmanian RTOs to deliver workplace based programs, Australia wide. Their model has been recognised by State and Federal governments as best practice.

Delivering Certificates I to Advanced Diploma, across four training packages, LP has developed and implemented a leading edge, applied, education model. Working in partnership with businesses, LP integrates employer and learner needs to create highly customised and personalised learning journeys. They have partnered with approximately 2,000 employers and supported over 20,000 Learners to achieve accredited qualifications and contemporary skills.

LP is uniquely positioned in the VET sector because of their capacity to innovate and respond, in real time, to industry and learner’s needs. Being future-focused, LP is excited about working with their stakeholders to embrace the fourth Industrial Revolution and will continue to positively impact industry and Australia’s economy.

(Photo: David Castle and Sue Shegog)

14Industry Collaboration Award - St Joseph Affordable Homes

Building homes for today and foundations for the future
in partnership with Build Up Tassie and Centacare
Evolve Housing.

Collaboration is at the heart of St Joseph Affordable Homes. The building and construction social enterprise has a dual purpose; to provide substantial and sustainable employment opportunities for young and vulnerable Tasmanians, and to alleviate housing stress and homelessness. St Joseph Affordable Homes’ key partnership with Centacare Evolve Housing’s pre-employment program, Build Up Tassie, is crucial to achieving this purpose. Furthermore, strong relationships with external contractors and stakeholders gives the organisation the unique opportunity to provide a holistic person-centred approach to their blended in-house and hosted apprenticeship program, their trainees, and their qualified trades.

Parties to the collaboration:
Centacare Evolve Housing; Guilford Young College; Milwaukee; Mitre 10; Nigel Vince Plumbing; Choices Flooring; Parr’s Heat Pump and Refrigeration Centre; McKay’s Timber; Nibbs Electrical; Daisy; Catholic Care Tasmania; TasTAFE; BGAS; MEGT; Mas; Sam Upton;
Simon Thompson; Build Like A Girl Australia; Area Connect; RACT; Speak Up Stay ChatTY; Drug Education Network; Impact Communities; St Johns Ambulance Tasmania; and The Moreton Group Tasmania.

(Photo: Adrian Broomhall and Belinda Clarke)

Special Awards

15The Lance Barnard Memorial Award - Tom Morgan

Certificate III in Plumbing

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Work & Training
at host employer J Wilson Plumbing

Tom says working in the plumbing industry is best
described as the combination of the enjoyment of
solving a problem, working in different environments and
meeting new people, all with a story to tell. He started his
apprenticeship in 2019 and says his employer’s support and
the mateship that has formed has made his experience of
the apprenticeship enjoyable and he’s looking forward to
passing that knowledge on in the future.