The best andbrightest of Territorys Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector havebeen celebrated at the NT Training Awards, held last night at the DarwinConvention Centre.
This year, the64th year the awards have been held, there were 86 nominationsreceived across 12 categories, with almost a quarter of nominees coming fromremote areas.
The awardsdemonstrate the diversity of training fields in the Territory, with nomineesrepresenting electro technology, carpentry, mechanical technology, digitalmedia, health, fitness, management, retail, agriculture, hospitality, childcareand construction.
Malak tradesmanRory Milner, 30, a former engineer who retrained in construction so he couldwork with his hands, took home the top individual honour, the 2019 Austin AscheApprentice of the Year.
Alice Springsteenager Jack Short, 17, a trainee technician with Red Centre TechnologyPartners, was named 2019 Trainee of the Year, while former elite swimmer JacquiCulgan, 19, was awarded 2019 Vocational Student of the Year, after completing aCertificate III and IV Fitness.
FORWAARDAboriginal Corporation, which provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation programsfor Aboriginal people, was named Small Employer of the Year, while NEC ITSolutions won the Medium Employer Award for the second consecutive year.
Some of thewinners will now go on to represent the NT at the Australia Training Awards inBrisbane on 21 November.
As noted by Minister for Workforce Training, SelenaUibo.
Congratulationsto all this years winners and finalists on their outstanding achievements.
Our Governments number one priority is jobs for Territorians and a strong training sector is critical to ensuring our local people are equipped for the jobs of the future.
Developinga strong local workforce means local business can take advantage of newopportunities and support the economic development of the Northern Territory.
Its great to see that almost a quarter of nominees this year came from regional and remote areas, reflecting the Territory Labor Governments strong investment in jobs in the bush.
The Northern Territory hasone of the highest levels of VET engagement in Australia, and our government isinvesting to make it even stronger.
Lastyear, we launched the first ever Skilling the Territory Annual Investment Plan,a $93 million investment in our training sector to support the creation of 2000extra positions for apprentices and trainees across the Territory over the nextfour years.
Quotesattributable to Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year, Rory Milner.
I chose thebuilding and construction industry as I love being able to see progress happenon a daily basis, see something get created from nothing and feel pride when Igo home at the end of the day.
Anapprenticeship was the right choice for me, as it allowed me to work to supportmy son, as well as undertake on the job training at the same time, andeventually obtain my qualifications, something that would have been a lotharder any other way.
FULL LIST OFNT TRAINING AWARD WINNERS
Individualawards
Trainee of the Year: Jack Short
AustinAsche Apprentice of the Year: Rory David Riwai Milner
VocationalStudent of the Year: Jacqui Culgan
Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Raelene Collins
SchoolBased Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Ashlee Bree Gilder
VETin Schools Student of the Year: Laurent De Biasio
VETTeacher / Trainers of the Year: Patricia Sweeney Fawcett
InternationalVocational Student of the Year: Sunday Mishu
OrganisationalAwards
TrainingProvider of the Year: Charles Darwin University
IndustryCollaboration Award: Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education andNorthern Territory Correctional Services
SmallEmployer of the Year: FORWAARD Aboriginal Corporation
MediumEmployer of the Year: Winner NEC IT Solutions Pty Ltd
