Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk has congratulated the 27 recipients of this year’s Achiever Awards, which highlight the education and training achievements of young Western Australians who have experienced out-of-home care.
The program is open to Western Australians aged 15 to 25 years who have spent time in the care of the Department of Communities and are continuing with their educational or vocational pursuits.
Winners receive a certificate and trophy honouring their efforts, along with financial support of up to $4,000 to assist with the expense of their ongoing course work or training.
Recipients are recognised in one of three category pathways, which include: University Achiever Award, Registered Training Achiever Award, and Apprenticeship or Traineeship Achiever Award.
In 2020, the Achiever Awards program celebrates its 30th anniversary. To date, it has supported more than 500 young Western Australians with a lived experience in out-of-home care to further develop their skills, knowledge and resilience.
The 27 recipients represent a diverse range of professional interests, with award winners focusing their studies and training on areas such as business, journalism, hospitality and a broad range of trade industries.
As stated by Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk:
“The Achiever Awards is a great opportunity to recognise the efforts of young Western Australians who are transitioning from out-of-home care and pursuing higher education and training to prepare for success in adulthood.
“While each of their experiences has been unique, collectively their achievements are a reminder that challenging circumstances need not place limitations on future success.
“For 30 years, the Achiever Awards have celebrated young people in care and championed education and training as a primary tool towards development.
“It is also important to acknowledge the critical role of foster families and carers in creating a safe and stable environment, which is fundamental to providing young people with the opportunity to learn, set goals and achieve.”
