3/09/04
A Kimberley Aboriginal Elder who tracked missing American tourist Robert Bogucki for more than 200km has won one of Western Australia's most prestigious training awards.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter has announced that Merridoo Walbidi, from the Bidyadanga Community, is the Alcoa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the Western Australian Training Excellence Awards 2004, held in Perth tonight.
Mr Carpenter said that Merridoo, an accomplished artist and trainer who had worked as a police tracker, followed Robert Bogucki's tracks into the Great Sandy Desert in 1999.
"Merridoo is committed to learning and showing young Aboriginal people that traditional and modern culture can co-exist side by side," the Minister said.
"As a senior member of the Bidyadanga Community, located four hours from Broome, Merridoo has co-ordinated the landscaping and gardening in his community and has trained a group of young community members in associated skills."
Mr Carpenter also announced that the inaugural WA State Training Board Medal for outstanding achievement in training in 2004 was won by Donald Boyle, for his lifetime commitment and achievements in the wool industry.
"With more than 40 years' experience in the shearing and wool handling industry, Don has worked tirelessly to promote and improve training," the Minister said.
"He is passionate about drawing young people into the industry.
"He has developed highly effective programs to train shearers and has worked closely with Great Southern TAFE and private training providers to produce a comprehensive range of learning resources for trainees in the industry."
The Training Excellence Awards are the highest honour bestowed upon WA's vocational education and training sector.
"Now in their 10th year, the awards are WA's most prestigious, having been the catalyst for enhancing employment prospects throughout the State," Mr Carpenter said.
"It is such an important time for education and training in this State and we want those involved to stand up and be recognised.
"WA's capacity for innovation and competitiveness depends on our investment in developing the creativity and skills of our people - a strategic investment in our future prosperity.
"These awards provide tangible recognition for those involved - our apprentices, trainees and vocational education students, as well as our trainers, training organisations and employers.
"The high calibre of the award finalists and winners is confirmation of the ongoing success of WA's vocational education and training sector."
The Minister said student category winners each received $7,000 to use towards further study, training providers receive professional services or advertising up to the value of $8,000 and employers received a training package to the value of $4,000.
The non-enterprise category winners are:
Arrix Trainer of the Year
Margaret Rhodes, a lecturer in the fitness, sport and recreation department at Bunbury's South-West Regional College of TAFE, is a person committed to providing non-traditional training options for students who don't thrive in a traditional environment and has developed a number of flexible learning alternatives.
In 1999 Margaret was the WA Fitness Leader of the Year and is a finalist in the Premier's Teacher of the Year Award 2004.
John Hughes Apprentice of the Year
Drew Wheeler from Boya made his hobby into a career in furniture making/cabinet making. Eventually, Drew wants to run his own business. He is studying for the Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management) part time at Swan TAFE.
Alcoa Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Merridoo Walbidi has completed a Certificate II in Horticulture (Production) and is currently enrolled in the Certificate I in Rural Skills through Kimberley TAFE. He believes gardening and horticulture can have a very positive impact on the Bidyadanga Community where he lives. Merridoo is also a keen artist and regularly provides artwork for the Broome Art Gallery. He is currently working with the gallery to establish an art centre at Bidyadanga.
McDonald's Trainee of the Year
Samantha Johnson from Madora lost her traineeship when the Murray District Aboriginal Association closed due to lack of funds. However, through the Work-for-the-Dole scheme, Samantha is now heading for a successful traineeship in business and is a pivotal part of the team at Mandurah Youth Commitment.
Coles Myer Institute Vocational Student of the Year
Latasha Santostefano from Australind says a hospitality traineeship at Broadwater Resort allowed her to obtain a sales and marketing position which led to her ideal career as a conference and events co-ordinator at the Sanctuary Golf Resort in Bunbury. Latasha is currently studying for her Diploma of Business (Frontline Management) through SCOPE Vision to enhance her skills.
The enterprise winners are:
Pretzel Logic Access and Equity Award
The Department of Justice's Auswest Specialist Education and Training Services delivers accredited training to inmates within the WA prison system. Auswest works in partnership with Commonwealth education agencies, private training providers, TAFEWA and the Department of Education and Training. The service increases prisoner participation in education and training and assists disadvantaged inmates by customising learning materials.
Australian Institute of Management Large Employer of the Year
Co-operative Bulk Handling Limited (CBH), of West Perth, takes an integrated, hierarchical development approach to training with a focus at individual, team and organisational level. Staff knowledge and expertise are used to deliver internal training which involves plant operator programs, site management, advanced skills and a graduate development program. Ensuring that staff responsible for training has completed the necessary training and assessment qualifications is a high priority.
Special Commendation: The Public Transport Authority in Perth has, in three-and-a-half years, changed the public face of its workforce by creating a vigorous training culture, a strong sense of identity and quality transport services. The authority's commitment to training was in response to low staff morale and a training-needs analysis. The authority's training plan is offered to all employees and 80 per cent of training is conducted internally.
West Australian Newspapers Large Training Provider of the Year
Challenger TAFE Fremantle has developed a model of self-managing business units with clear functions and client profiles to meet the training needs of specific industries. Challenger TAFE has nine specialist training centres and three specialist training and support centres. Making stakeholders a part of the decision-making team is critical to Challenger's success as it focuses on flexible delivery and e-learning initiatives. Challenger has created a work environment in which staff are genuinely valued.
Australian Institute of Management Medium Employer of the Year
For Perth Zoo, in South Perth, training is an important element in a motivated and productive workplace. Staff can access in-house training including inductions, workshops, seminars, on-the-job learning and information sessions. External training is available through work placements, conferences and international training opportunities.
Australian Institute of Management Small Business of the Year
Leeder Cleaning Services in Armadale is committed to providing world's best practice and excellence through training. The company provides its staff with opportunities to develop as trades-persons with a career path. Employee training is conducted both internally and externally through registered training organisations and includes seminars and specialist training courses.
Market Equity Small Training Provider of the Year
XLT Industrial Training Pty Ltd in Bibra Lake is dedicated and committed to delivering innovative programs, providing opportunities for further skills development and achieving excellent outcomes for students and employers. Over the past seven years, XLT has been a leader of innovative training in welding and metal fabrication for the engineering and mining industries. Facilities have recently been expanded to include a dedicated construction and engineering training centre.
Special commendation: As a registered training organisation, Dental Nursing Australia of Bunbury has worked closely with the dental industry to develop specialised training courses and the first nationally recognised Diploma of Dental Practice Management.
CDM Australia VET in Schools Award
North Lake Senior Campus in Kardinya makes school retention and participation a priority for its vocational education and training program. It caters solely for students in post-compulsory schooling with low literacy levels or poor educational experiences. Students are enrolled in courses that maximise their ability to be competitive in getting into TAFEWA or securing an apprenticeship.
Special Commendation: Warnbro Community High School Education Support Centre in Warnbro. The centre was established to meet the individual training, academic and social needs of students. In Year 12, students in the Building Equitable Links in Enterprise and Vocational Education (BELIEVE) program were the first WA students with intellectual disabilities to achieve the WA Certificate of Education.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
