WA big winners at Australian Training Awards

• Four Western Australian winners at national training awards

• Evidence of WA's excellent vocational education and training opportunities

Four Western Australian apprentices, trainees or companies stole the show and walked off with the major awards at this year's Australian Training Awards held in Brisbane last Friday night.

Training and Workforce Development Minister Peter Collier said the awards were a great reflection of the Western Australian training sector.

"These awards prove that WA is producing outstanding trainees, and much of that can be attributed to a training sector that is staffed by outstanding, dedicated people," Mr Collier said

"The awards have been running for 17 years and this year saw Western Australia's best-ever performance, with more winners and runners-up than any other State or Territory."

Abbey Sergeant, who trained at Great Southern Institute of Technology and is employed by Shire of Katanning, won the title of Australian Trainee of the Year.

Amanda Smith, from the Margaret River campus of the South West Institute of Technology, won the title of Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year.

This year's Australian Training Awards incorporated National Focus awards for outstanding contributions to achieving national vocational and educational training (VET) priorities.

Western Australian training organisations were also winners at the Australian Training Awards.

The Dardanup Butchering Company won the 'Australian Apprenticeships - Employer' category for its commitment to training a high numbers of apprentices. 

"The John Forrest Secondary College / MPA Skills partnership won the 'School Pathways to VET' category for its long-running and successful program to enable students to complete their secondary education, while gaining nationally recognised VET qualifications as well as having their pathway to employment established."

"I am delighted that these two organisations have enjoyed success at the national level," the Minister said.

"A vibrant and successful training sector requires many different organisations to be involved; not just the training providers but employers and schools as well.

"Western Australia's success at the Australian Training Awards proves that our approach to training works, and works well."

Jonte Pike, who trained at Polytechnic West, was runner up in the Australian Vocational Student of the Year, and Calvin Buckle, who trained at Industrial Training Institute and is employed by Apprenticeships Australia, and hosted by Rio Tinto Iron Ore, was runner up in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

Benjamin King, schooled and trained at the Australian Trades College WA and employed by Prosser Toyota, was a finalist in the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year award, and Ailin Gay, trained at Polytechnic West and employed by Kailis Bros in Leederville, was a finalist in the Australian Apprentice of the Year award.

      Fact File

• Abbey Sergeant won the title of Australian Trainee of the Year

• Amanda Smith won the title of Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

Minister's office - 9213 7150