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Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio

The Hon Julia Gillard MP

Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations

Minister for Social Inclusion. Deputy Prime Minister

20 November, 2008

Media Release

Minister congratulates finalists in the 2008 Australian Training Awards

Minister for Education, Julia Gillard has congratulated all finalists in the 2008 Australian Training Awards.

The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for vocational education and training, recognising innovation and excellence in the training sector.

Minister Gillard and State and Territory Ministers will announce the winners at a gala event in Darwin tonight, 20 November.

This national event will see winners from the various State and Territory training awards vying for the national title in a range of categories.

Student Award finalists

Each State/Territory has a finalist in these categories

Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year
Vocational Student of the Year
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
Australian Apprentice of the Year

Organisational Award Finalists

From across Australia, three organisations were selected as finalists in each of the following categories:

Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year
Australian Training Initiative
VET in Schools Excellence
Small Training Provider of the Year
Large Training Provider of the Year
Employer of the Year

For more information, including links to more details of the finalists, please visit http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au. List of finalists attached.

Deputy Prime Minister’s Press Office: 02 6277 7758

DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media queries: 1300 363 079

Attachment A – Student finalists

Finalists for the Stella Axarlis Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year

ACT Natasha Lilley Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
NSW Brenton Pearce Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery
QLD Rohan Greer Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Systems Electrician)
VIC Melinda Stephens Certificate III in Clothing Production
SA Ricky Foran Certificate III in Automotive (Diesel)
TAS Melanie McCoy Certificate III in Children’s Services
NT Graeme Talbot Certificate III in Conservation Land Management

NB: there was no entry from Western Australia in this particular category

Finalists for Vocational Student of the Year

ACT Elizabeth Jordan Advance Diploma of Naturopathy
NSW Jill Morris Diploma of Community Welfare Work
QLD Jenifer Wycha Certificate III and IV in Information Technology (Networking)
VIC Lauren Johansson Diploma of Community Services (Youth Work)
SA Debra Franks Certificate IV in Community Services (Youth Work)
TAS Julie Cleaver Diploma of Statutory Child Protection
NT Laura Brothers Diploma of Training and Assessment

NB: there was no entry from the Northern Territory in this particular category

Finalists for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

ACT Denise Dixon Certificate IV in Alcohol and Certificate IV in Alcohol and other Drugs Work
NSW Michael Donovan Certificate III Engineering Fabrication Trade
QLD Bernard Pope Diploma of Nursing (Pre-enrolment)
VIC Linda Bamblett Diploma of Youth Work and Diploma in Business (Frontline Mgnt)
WA James Palmer Certificate IV in Teacher Assistant (Indigenous)
SA Bernice Lawton Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
TAS Olive Ralph Certificate IV in Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft
NT Natasha Abbott Certificate III in Business

Finalists for the Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year

ACT Clinton Scott-Knight Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
NSW Hannah Cubis Certificate IV in Business (Frontline Management)
QLD Matthew Graham Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipelaying)
VIC Matter Machar Certificate IV in Youth Work and Protective Care
WA Joanna Wren Certificate IV in Horticulture
SA Heather Rogers Certificate IV in Government
TAS Florence Wren Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision)
NT Tiffany Knight Certificate III in Business

Finalists for the Australian Apprentice of the Year

ACT Rachael Keiley Certificate III in Plumbing
NSW Daniel Crisp Certificate III in Electrotechnology (Systems Electrician)
QLD Rachel Niemann Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)
VIC Lucinda Brundell Certificate III in General Construction (Painting and Decorating)
WA Ashlee Scinocco Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)
SA Daniel Austin Certificate III in Horticulture
TAS Matthew Barwick Certificate III in Construction (Carpentry and Joinery)
NT Kirsty Bulluss Certificate III in Hairdressing

For more information, visit: http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/2008+Student+Finalists/

Attachment B - Organisational Finalists

Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year

NSW Midson Road Childcare Centre
VIC Sweeney Todd Waste Disposal
WA Verriers Engineering

Australian Training Initiative

VIC Swinburne University of Technology
TAS Industrylink Training
NT Group Training Northern Territory

VET in Schools Excellence

VIC Geelong North V&T Cluster
WA Central West TAFE
SA Thebarton Senior College

Small Training Provider of the Year

NSW Directions Australia
WA Australian College of Training
TAS Industrylink Training

Large Training Provider of the Year

ACT Canberra Institute of Technology
QLD Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
VIC Wodonga Institute of TAFE

Employer of the Year

ACT The Vikings Group
NSW Weir Minerals Australia
SA Pernod Ricard Pacific
Media Contact:
Deputy Prime Minister's Press Office: 02 6277 7758
media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079