2007 Australian Training Awards Winners and Finalists

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

Innovative Business Award

The Innovative Business Award, sponsored by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, recognises the way in which an organisation has successfully demonstrated excellence in the use of information and communication technology in the delivery of education and training programs to clients and workforce employees.

The winner of the 2007 Innovative Business Award  is the Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre (ECTARC).

Institute for Trade Skills Excellence Trade Teacher of the Year Award

As part of the institute for Trade Skills Excellence work to foster, acknowledge and reward excellence in trade skills teaching, the inaugural national Australian Trade Teacher of the Year Award will be presented at the Australian Training Awards.

The winner of the 2007 Trade Teacher of the Year Award  is Marion Fitzpatrick.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Winner: Shilo Barker (NSW) Course: Diploma of Community Welfare Work Employer: The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Training Provider: TAFE NSW - Western Institute Since beginning at TAFE NSW, Shilo has received glowing praise for her application and enthusiasm to her work and the Indigenous community. A member of the Dubbo Koori Interagency Group, Shilo was named TAFE NSW - Western Institute’s Aboriginal Student of the Year. Shilo is currently undertaking further study, completing a Certificate IV in Business (Governance). Shilo plans to progress her studies and career even further with an emphasis on community work, research and policy development.

Runner Up: Kirk Betts (SA) Course: Certificate 4 in Business (Governance) Employer: Ceduna Youth Centre Training Provider: TAFE SA Ceduna Campus Kirk is currently employed as a Youth Centre Officer at the Ceduna Youth Centre. In addition to completing a Certificate IV in Governance, he has also completed certificates in Occupational Health & Safety, Land Management and Youth Work and is currently studying Front Line Management. Kirk has a passion for issues relating to the local community and the young people of Ceduna and districts and is a role model for young Indigenous people. As Chair of the Ceduna Youth Committee, Kirk mentors students in their learning and leadership development.

Australian Apprentice of the Year

Winner: Thomas Spottswood (QLD) Course: Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Fitting and Turning) Employer: Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Ltd Training Provider: Wide Bay Institute of TAFE While completing a Certificate III in Engineering, Thomas worked at Hyne Timber where he is now employed as a Project Fitter. His Australian Apprenticeship gave him a practical understanding of engineering, preparing him for further studies at university. Thomas ultimately hopes to become a leading engineer and was recently selected in the Queensland State of Origin Oztag team.

Runner Up: George Brown (NT) Course: Certificate III in Automotive (Mechanical – Heavy Vehicle/Plant/Earthmoving/Agriculture) Employer: Hastings Deering Training Provider: Charles Darwin University George completed his Australian Apprenticeship in the heavy diesel mechanic trade in 2006 with employer Hastings Deering in the Northern Territory. George started working for Hastings Deering in 2003 because he was interested in a mechanical trade and found he was more suited to an outdoor working environment. George describes his industry as demanding and dynamic and says his industry training has not only taught him the technical issues of the trade but strong attention to detail, the importance of customer satisfaction and an immense pride in his work.

Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year

Winner: Evan Brett (TAS) Course: Certificate IV in Community Services Work Employer: The Don College, Devonport Training Provider: TAFE Tasmania A vocational education pathway proved preferable to University for Evan. He had always wanted to be a teacher but found that hands-on vocational learning suited him better than the formal academic stream. Evan enrolled in a community services course at The Don College, with a particular focus on disability support. During his studies he was offered a teacher’s aide position at the College. Evan’s mission is to help young adults with a disability through their transition to independent living. In his spare time he is a volunteer swimming coach with Special Olympics Tasmania.

Runner Up: Zoe Howarth (WA) Course: Certificate II in Production, Theatre & Events Employer: The Grand Theatre Company/ Landsdale and Ashdale Primary Schools Training Provider: West Coast TAFE Zoe Howarth has a busy volunteering schedule but her chosen field of study, events and production management, allows her work and volunteer at the same time. Rising to a position of responsibility at Grand Cinemas Currambine, Zoe enjoyed the strategic challenges of her work. Her volunteer work includes acting as a mentor for Year 11 and 12 students, leading a community youth group, running games for Year 8 and 9 students at local secondary schools and being pastoral leader at Whitfords Church. Zoe is now working in the field of chaplaincy.

Vocational Student of the Year

Winner: Selena Smith (QLD) Course: Diploma of Visual Arts Employer: Freelance Artist Training Provider: Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE Completing a Diploma of Visual Arts has allowed Selena to build her own skills and share them with others. After gaining employment in Townsville City Council’s cultural development section, Selena was able to display her creative talents and enrich the community through her love of colour therapy and conducting children’s art classes. Selena is now working as a freelance artist and has sold her work in Adelaide, Canberra and Townsville.

Runner Up: Tania Roberts (NSW) Course: Diploma of Information Technology (Website Development) Employer: Barrier Division of General Practice Training Provider: TAFE NSW - Western Institute, Broken Hill Campus Tania credits her TAFE studies with making it possible to re-enter the work force after 12 years full-time family responsibilities. Her achievements in training have been recognised with an Outstanding Graduate Student Award from TAFE NSW - Western Institute and three awards for excellence from the Broken Hill Community Credit Union. Tania has also set up a small Web Design and IT business with two fellow students and is completing a Certificate IV in Information Technology (Networking).

Stella Axarlis Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year

Joint Winner: Caitlin Cox (ACT) Course: Certificate III in Children’s Services  Employer: Lavender Lane Child Care Centre Training Provider: Canberra Institute of Technology Caitlin’s decision to participate in a Certificate III in Children’s Services was greatly influenced by her love of children and her determination to receive valuable experience in the Children’s Service industry in order to assist her future training and employment. Through her Australian School-based Apprenticeship she will gain her Year 12 Certificate and has been offered secure full time employment upon completion. Caitlin plans to continue studying by progressing to a Diploma in Children’s Services as well as a Diploma in Community Services.

Joint Winner: Warwick Johnstone (TAS) Course: Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery Employer: Meadson Constructions Training Provider: Australian Technical College - Northern Tasmania Warwick has always had an interest in pursuing a trade. With a particular interest in the building industry, Warwick is aiming for a career in project management. Warwick believes undertaking an Australian School-based Apprenticeship has given him the opportunity of transition from school to work whilst still achieving academic results and furthering his education. Warwick’s employer describes him as an excellent first year Australian Apprentice with an above average aptitude towards work and training.

Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year

State	Name of Organisation
NT	Gold Medal Services
NSW	Clarence Valley Kitchens and Shopfitting
QLD	Payton Kitchens
SA	Southgate Real Estate

Australian Training Initiative

State	Name of Organisation
QLD	The Split Rock Inca Alliance – Queensland Main Roads, Myuma and Seymour Whyte
WA	SMYL Community Services
TAS	Federal Group

VET in Schools Excellence

State	Name of Organisation
ACT	Canberra College Futures Program
QLD	Gladstone Schools Engineering Skills Centre
VIC	Whittlesea Secondary College

Small Training Provider of the Year

State	Name of Organisation
ACT	The Academy of Interactive Entertainment
NSW	Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre (ECTARC)
QLD	Blue Dog Training

Large Training Provider of the Year

State	Name of Organisation
ACT	Canberra Institute of Technology
NSW	TAFE NSW – Western Institute
QLD	Gold Coast Institute of TAFE

Employer of the Year

State	Name of Organisation
ACT	Independent Property Group
NSW	Bemax Resources
QLD	John Love Electrical

Innovative Business Award

The Innovative Business Award, sponsored by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, recognises the way in which an organisation has successfully demonstrated excellence in the use of information and communication technology in the delivery of education and training programs to clients and workforce employees.  All shortlisted Australian Training Awards organisational finalists are eligible for this award.

Presentation of Institute of Trade Skills Excellence Trade Teacher Excellence

As part of The Institute for Trade Skills Excellence work to foster, acknowledge and reward excellence in trade skills teaching, the inaugural national Australian Trade Teacher of the Year Award will be presented at the Australian Training Awards.