Among this year’s winners are women forging successful careers in traditionally male-dominated industries, highlighting the opportunities available through apprenticeships and traineeships in sectors critical to the State's future.
WA Apprentice of the Year Georgia Shinnick, from Yalyalup, completed a Certificate III in ESI – Distribution Overhead through Power Training Services WA while employed by Western Power. Georgia became the first female apprentice at Western Power's Picton and Collie depot and has developed into a highly skilled line worker supporting critical electricity infrastructure.
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year Marlissa White, from The Vines, completed a Certificate II in Automotive Services Technology through MTA WA while employed by WesTrac. Marlissa is pursuing a career in the automotive industry and is helping inspire other young people to consider vocational education and training pathways.
Seven of this year's eight individual WA Training Awards winners are women, and several finalists are women working in non-traditional trades. This highlights the growing contribution of women to skilled occupations across WA.
With more than 777,700 women now participating in WA’s workforce, the State Government's training initiatives are helping to create new pathways into priority industries through record levels of engagement in vocational education and training.
Women accounted for 61 per cent of Fee Free TAFE enrolments in 2025, with courses targeted at areas of high workforce demand, while participation by women in apprenticeships continues to grow during a period of record apprenticeship activity. These results demonstrate the increasing opportunities available for women to build rewarding careers in the industries helping drive Western Australia's future.
The awards also recognised excellence across a diverse range of industries and occupations. Rebecca Neumann from North Regional TAFE was named WA Trainer of the Year, while South Metropolitan TAFE's Warona Machingaifa was recognised as WA International Student of the Year. North Metropolitan TAFE's Shokooh Rezaei received the WA Cultural Diversity Training Award, Central Regional TAFE's Kevin Dorizzi was named WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, South Metropolitan TAFE's Breanna Zoethout was recognised as WA Vocational Student of the Year and Annika Brown training at Royal Life Saving WA won WA Trainee of the Year.
Organisation award winners included Apex Utilities (WA Small Employer of the Year), ABN Group (WA Large Employer of the Year), Programmed Training Services' National Energy Technician Training Scheme (WA Industry Collaboration Award) and MTA WA Training (WA Large Training Provider of the Year).
Together, the winners reflect the strength, diversity and impact of Western Australia's training sector in developing skilled workers and creating opportunities across metropolitan and regional communities.
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
WA Trainer of the Year
Rebecca Neumann – Nickol
Lecturer – Community Services
North Regional TAFE
WA International Student of the Year
Warona Machingaifa – South Lake
Diploma of Community Services
Trained at: South Metropolitan TAFE
WA Cultural Diversity Training Award
Shokooh Rezaei – Wanneroo
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Trained at: North Metropolitan TAFE
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Kevin Dorizzi – Victory Heights
Diploma of Counselling
Trained at: Central Regional TAFE
Employed by: Bega Garnbirringu Health Services
WA Vocational Student of the Year
Breanna Zoethout – Wattle Grove
Diploma of Events Management
Trained at: South Metropolitan TAFE
WA Trainee of the Year
Annika Brown – South Hedland
Certificate III in Sport, Aquatics and Recreation
Trained at: Royal Life Saving Western Australia
Employed by: Town of Port Hedland
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year
Marlissa White – The Vines
Certificate II in Automotive Services Technology
Trained at: MTA WA
Employed by: WesTrac
WA Apprentice of the Year
Georgia Shinnick – Yalyalup
Certificate III in ESI – Distribution Overhead
Trained at: Power Training Services WA (PTS)
Employed by: Western Power
ORGANISATION WINNERS
WA Small Employer of the Year
Apex Utilities Pty Ltd
WA Large Employer of the Year
ABN Group
WA Industry Collaboration Award
National Energy Technician Training Scheme
Programmed Training Services
WA Large Training Provider of the Year
MTA WA Training Inc
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