2019 Learn Local Awards Finalists Announced

  • Minister for Training and Skills

Learners, teachers and education providers from across Victoria will be recognised for their work transforming lives through community education at this year’s Learn Local Awards.

Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney today visited Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong and congratulated learners and practitioners for achieving multiple nominations in this year’s awards.

Ro Allen Award finalist Chithrika Senanayake faced language barriers and challenges finding work after arriving in Australia in 2015.

Ms Senanayake enrolled in a program through Wellsprings for Women designed to help women from diverse backgrounds start their own businesses or microenterprises. Since starting the course 12 months ago, she has established her own business as a reflexology practitioner and is building a client base in aged care and wellbeing centres.

The Wellsprings Child Minding Program is also up for the Volunteer Team Award. The program aims to enable women’s access to training by providing child-minding services they would otherwise not be able to access, while the women participate in classes and gain new skills. The full list of awards are:

  • The Ro Allen Award – Recognising Pre-accredited Learner Excellence
  • Victorian Learn Local Young Pre-accredited Learner Award
  • Victorian Learn Local Practitioner Award
  • Victorian Learn Local Volunteer Team Award
  • Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Pathway Program Award
  • Victorian Learn Local Creating Local Solutions Award
  • Victorian Learn Local Collaboration Award

Award winners have the chance to share in $72,000 in prizemoney. The three organisation award category winners will each receive $10,000, while individual category winners will be awarded $5,000, and category finalists will receive $1,000. A list of finalists is available: https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/awards/Pages/2019-finalists.aspx

As noted by Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney

“The Learn Local Awards are the great opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of learners and the providers who support them, as well as the overall contribution of the Learn Local network to the broader Victorian community.

As noted by Member for Dandenong Gabrielle Williams

“Learn Locals, like Wellsprings for Women, provide Victorians with opportunities to take their first step in training – they are a crucial part of the training system and work at the grassroots of our communities.”

As noted by ACFE board chairperson Maria Peters

“The Learn Local Awards are a great celebration of what’s special and important in this sector. Through the awards, we can shine a light on the learners, educators, leaders, volunteers and programs whose stories deserve to be heard.”

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