The Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year Award is presented to a business with 20 or fewer employees for outstanding commitment and achievement in the provision of employee training.
Winner - Jetset Norwood - South Australia
Jetset Norwood attributes its high percentage of repeat and referred customers to its focus on providing excellent customer service and its efforts to create positive travel experiences. This requires its staff to be highly professional, knowledgeable and well-trained. All employees have completed, as a minimum, a Certificate III in Tourism – International Retail Sales. Jetset Norwood won Small Business of the Year at the 2003 South Australian Training Awards and was a finalist in 2004. Jetset Norwood duplicated its success in 2005 as the winner in the Small Business of the Year category and was short-listed to compete at the Australian Training Awards in 2005.
The Employer of the Year Award is presented to a business enterprise with more than 20 employees that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and achievement in the provision of nationally recognised training for employees.
Winner - John Holland Group Pty Ltd - Victoria/ Western Australia
The John Holland Group is one of Australia’s largest contractors, with a long history of landmark projects such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s Great Southern Stand, the Alice Springs to Darwin Railway and Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel. John Holland Group attributes the success of these projects to its staff, which are among the most highly skilled and knowledgeable in their field. Its employees are encouraged to be innovative and search for new processes, technologies and knowledge to enhance and expand their range of expertise.
The Australian Training Initiative Award is presented to an organisation that demonstrates excellence and innovation in a leading-edge initiative, programme or product in the field of Vocational and Technical Education.
Winner - C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE and West Australian Country Health Service - Wheatbelt - Western Australia
C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE and the Western Australian Country Health Service – Wheatbelt, joined forces to develop streamlined traineeships for aged care workers in rural and remote communities. The programme allows carers to complete traineeships and receive formal qualifications, without having to leave their current jobs or caring responsibilities.
The VET in Schools Excellence Award recognises outstanding achievement in the delivery of recognised Vocational and Technical Education to school students.
Winner - WA College Of Agriculture, Cunderdin - Western Australia
The Agriculture and Trades Training Partnership programme at the WA College of Agriculture in Cunderdin provides Year 11 and 12 students from across the state the opportunity to gain qualifications in agriculture, engineering, furnishing and automotive trades. The College features a commercial 2114ha farm with a large mix of agricultural enterprises. It provides a practical learning resource for students to undertake training and assessment in the range of agricultural specialisations offered. All students enrolled in the College are housed in a 116 bed residential facility which assists them to develop responsibility, self discipline and community values.
The Small Training Provider of the Year Award is presented to a Registered Training Organisation with fewer than 2000 enrolled students for outstanding delivery of Vocational and Technical Education.
Winner - Marr Mooditj Foundation Inc - Western Australia
Marr Mooditj Foundation aims to empower Aboriginal people by educating them in health and wellbeing. The organisation’s trainers deliver courses in primary and mental health, men’s health and enrolled nursing to Aboriginal students from across Western Australia. Graduates are encouraged to use their knowledge with their communities and work to close the gap in health outcomes for Aboriginal people.
The Large Training Provider of the Year Award is presented to a Registered Training Organisation with more than 2000 enrolled students for outstanding delivery of Vocational and Technical Education.
Winner - The Bremer Institute Of TAFE - Queensland
The Bremer Institute of TAFE works to meet the training requirements of the diverse range of people in its region. The Institute developed a link between TAFE and university through a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland. The Institute has also helped refugees, disengaged youth and parenting teenagers build literacy and numeracy skills through its role in the Education and Training Reforms for the Future initiative.
The winner of the Innovative Business Award is selected from the finalists of the 2006 Australian Training Awards organisational categories and is presented by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. The winner of this Award demonstrates excellence in integrating technology in the operation of the organisation’s business including the education, training and skilling of its employees.
Winner – C.Y. O’Connor Institute of TAFE and West Australian Country Health Service – Wheatbelt – Western Australia
C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE and the Western Australian Country Health Service – Wheatbelt, joined forces to develop streamlined traineeships for aged care workers in rural and remote communities. The programme allows carers to complete traineeships and receive formal qualifications, without having to leave their current jobs or caring responsibilities.
The Industry Awards recognise a commitment by employers to training within their own industry. The selection of winners is a component of the Employer of the Year Award.
Innovation and Business
TIO (Territory Insurance Office)
Northern Territory
Territory Insurance Office, the only locally owned and operated insurance and banking organisation in the Northern Territory, was established in 1979 with just 13 staff working out of rented premises in Darwin and Alice Springs. Territory Insurance Office has since grown into an organisation which has over 50 percent of the insurance market and is a leading provider of banking services, designed specifically for Territorians. It employs 252 staff and provides a network of branches throughout the Territory. Territory Insurance Office has a policy of recruiting and training Territorians whenever possible for its vacancies including young people employed under the Australian Apprenticeship Scheme since 1991. Territory Insurance Office strives to provide a work/ life balance for its employees.
Construction and Property Services
Independent Property Group
Australian Capital Territory
Independent Property Group is a 100 percent locally owned company that started as a small Canberra business 30 years ago. It has now grown to become the exemplary employer of choice and dominant force in the real estate industry in the ACT region. It has 17 departmental teams across 12 locations with 157 staff who encompass all aspects of the residential property market – sales, property management, property development, project marketing, strata management, finance, training and industry software development.
Community Services and Health
Challenge Armidale Ltd
New South Wales
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2005, Challenge Armidale is a community based organisation which provides a broad range of support services to around 110 people with a disability in regional NSW. Its services include community integrated accommodation support services, quality assured open and supported employment services and a range of day programmes. In 2003, Challenge Armidale made a conscious decision to become a learning organisation and use Australian Apprenticeships to up-skill its existing staff and support new employees.
Government and Community Safety
Cooloola Shire Council
Queensland
Cooloola Shire Council provides more than 100 different services to the community, ranging from roads and drainage infrastructure, water supply and sewerage treatment to health and community service functions. To address the concern over the ageing of the population, Cooloola Shire Council is committed to providing traineeships and cadetships. These measures focus on providing school leavers with the opportunity to stay in their local community and further their education on the job with financial support.
Manufacturing
John Holland SMP Rockhampton
Queensland
John Holland SMP Rockhampton’s operation was established as a project-specific facility with a limited lifetime. However through dedication, training, and staff enthusiasm it is today a well-established business. Since its establishment, numerous individuals have been trained across a wide range of skills. In 2002 the company decided to become more proactive in youth training and with help from training organisations and local high schools it initiated a number of innovative training programmes.
Transport and Logistics
WA Freightlines Group Of Companies
Western Australia
WA Freightlines has led the way in workplace training in the Western Australian transport and storage industry. The Western Australian owned and run company lists training as a key priority with all new staff completing nationally accredited training courses. Since 2002, WA Freightlines has trained more than 100 students and was the first transport company in Western Australia to take on Australian School based Apprentices.
Resources and Infrastructure
John Holland Group Pty Ltd
Victoria/Western Australia
The John Holland Group is one of Australia’s largest contractors, with a long history of landmark projects such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s Great Southern Stand, the Alice Springs to Darwin Railway and Sydney’s Lane Cove Tunnel. John Holland Group attributes the success of these projects to its staff, which are among the most highly skilled and knowledgeable in their field. Its employees are encouraged to be innovative and search for new processes, technologies and knowledge to enhance and expand their range of expertise.
Services
Adelaide Convention Centre
South Australia
Entering its 20th year of operation, the Adelaide Convention Centre boasts an average of 11 events a week since its inauguration. Underpinning its success is the organisation’s high standard of service delivery and a commitment to the on-going training and development of its 500 staff. In an industry where staff turnover is usually high, the Adelaide Convention Centre’s track record is outstanding.