The Allan Labor Government is celebrating the achievements of Victoria's nation-leading TAFE and training sector, with finalists now announced for the 70th annual Victorian Training Awards 2024.
Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney today announced 40 finalists for the Awards which honour Victorian apprentices, students, teachers, trainers, employers, and training providers across 14 categories, including three world-class finalists who have been nominated for the Apprentice of the Year award.
Bonnie Inkster is following her dream to work in motorsports as an apprentice at a leading Australian motor racing team. She is now fabricating parts for supercars having recently completed her Certificate III in Engineering Fabrication Trade at Chisholm Institute, where she was often the only woman in her welding class.
Following in his family's tradition of a career in trades, Trey McAuley is completing a Certificate III in Carpentry at the Gordon TAFE. Trey will compete in the Olympics of vocational training later this year-the WorldSkills Competition in France-and wants to mentor the next generation of chippies.
Matthew Tyquin realised his passion thanks to his job at Ashburton Meats. He started an apprenticeship with William Angliss Institute and hasn't looked back - taking home the title of World Champion Butcher Apprentice at the World Butchers Challenge in the US in 2022.
Finalists range from Northcote-based small business New Plumbing Solutions to the state-wide organisations such as the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, and large training providers South West TAFE and Box Hill Institute, just to name a few.
This talent comes from right across Victoria, including Geelong, Shepparton, Traralgon, Warrnambool and Wodonga and highlights the state's thriving TAFE and vocational education sector.
The 2024 winners will be announced at the Victorian Training Awards gala ceremony on Friday, 30 August 2024, with many winners set to go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in December.
The Victorian Training Awards acknowledges the support of the Awards' Principal Partner 2022-2024, the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN), and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN Australia).
Since 2014, the Labor Government has invested more than $4.6 billion into training, skills, and higher education to enable more Victorians to upskill into meaningful, well-paid careers.
Free TAFE is removing barriers to training and creating pathways to new careers without the cost of tuition fees in more than 80 priority courses. Free TAFE has benefitted more than 175,000 students since it began in 2019, saving them more than $489 million in tuition fees.
The full list of finalists can be found at vic.gov.au/2024-victorian-training-awards-finalists.
As stated by Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney
"The Victorian Training Awards celebrate Victoria's world-class apprentices, students, teachers, trainers, TAFEs and employers."
"We are investing in Victoria's TAFE and training sector to ensure it continues to deliver nation-leading, relevant, inclusive training where students excel and get the best start in their careers."
