WA Training Awards finalists announced

• 42 finalists named in State's top awards in vocational education and training

• Winners to be announced in September

Training and Workforce Development Minister Kim Hames today announced the finalists for Western Australia's premier vocational education and training (VET) awards.

Congratulating the 42 finalists, who will compete for honours in the WA Training Awards 2014, Dr Hames said the high calibre of this year's entries showed the strength of the State's training system.

"The awards show the quality of the Western Australian VET sector," the Minister said.

"Each finalist stands out in their particular field through the high level of excellence they achieve. They demonstrate what can be accomplished through a VET pathway.

"The WA Training Awards allow us to recognise and celebrate the endeavours of these individuals and organisations that shape our exceptional training system.

"I wish each finalist all the very best in this year's awards."

More than 165 entries were received from across the State, covering a range of individual and organisation categories.

Winners will be announced at a presentation dinner on September 11, 2014. Some will have the opportunity to represent WA at the Australian Training Awards to be held in Adelaide in November.

This year's awards sponsors include the Australian Institute of Management WA, AMA Apprenticeship and Traineeship Services, Corporate Theatre Productions, Department of Education Services, GESB, Student Edge, The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, The Sunday Times and the Training Accreditation Council.

       Fact File

• 2014 marks 20 years of the WA Training Awards

• More information is available online at http://www.dtwd.wa.gov.au/trainingawards  

Minister's office - 6552 5300

The 2014 finalists are:

WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2014 finalists

Alisha Cassidy (Quinns Rocks)

Codi-Marie Watkins (Kununurra)

Nicole Slater (East Victoria Park)

Regina Richardson (Geraldton)

WA Apprentice of the Year 2014 finalists

Christopher Kirkpatrick (Erskine)

Geoffrey Franklin (Como)

Kim Ferrara (Dongara)

Michael Snook (Claremont)

WA Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Training Award 2014 finalists

Jovelyn Bernardino (South Perth)

Navjot Randhawa (Marangaroo)

Susampana Regmi (Madeley)

Vidhu Singh (Yokine)

WA School Based Apprentice of the Year 2014 finalists

Jennifer Brown (Bertram)

Taylor Wood (Warnbro)

WA Trainee of the Year 2014 finalists

Amy Brown (Serpentine)

Emma Hay (Boyanup)

Janet Brown (Thornlie)

Parewa Poka (Kalgoorlie)

WA Trainer of the Year 2014 finalists

Jane Goodfellow (Kallaroo)

Kathryn Schache (Two Rocks)

Megan Thurkle (Narrogin)

Neha Umaretiya (Darch)

WA Vocational Student of the Year 2014 finalists

Adam Keilar (Secret Harbour)

Genaro Auriemma (East Fremantle)

Olivia Dhimitri (Edgewater)

Samantha Punch (Carnarvon)

WA Employer of the Year 2014 finalists

Chevron Australia (Perth)

Main Roads WA (East Perth)

Mermaid Marine Australia (Fremantle)

WA International Training Provider of the Year 2014 finalists

Central Institute of Technology (Northbridge)

Challenger Institute of Technology (Fremantle)

DNA Kingston Training (Belmont)

WA Large Training provider of the Year 2014 finalist

NECA College of Electrical Training (Balcatta)

WA School Pathways to VET 2014 finalists

Busselton Senior High School

Hampton Senior High School (LOV Beauty) (Morley)

WA College of Agriculture - Cunderdin

WA Small Training Provider of the Year 2014 finalists

Australian College of Training (Victoria Park)

Marr Mooditj Training Inc (Waterford)

Trainwest (Applecross)

WA Training Initiative 2014 finalists

Fairbridge Village WA Inc (Pinjarra)

Kimberley Training Institute (in partnership with Kimberley Land Council)

Training, Innovation, Management & Enterprise (TIME) (Kimberley region)