2024 Australian Training Awards finalists

The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for excellence and best practice in vocational education and training (VET) and the Albanese Government congratulates the 75 finalists for the 2024 Australian Training Awards.

On December 6 this year finalists will head to the National Convention Centre in Canberra where the winners will be crowned.

For 30 years, the awards have recognised the achievements of apprentices, trainees, students, employers, educators and training providers. 

The finalists are competing for 16 national awards, across categories for individuals, businesses and registered training organisations.

Awards for individuals include:

• Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector
• Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
• Vocational Student of the Year
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year
• Trainee of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
• Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice.

The business awards recognise small and large employers of the year, employers of Australian Apprentices, industry collaborations and innovation initiatives in VET. Registered training organisations compete for Small Training Provider of the Year Award, Large Training Provider of the Year Award, and schools and their partners are recognised in the School Pathways to VET Award.

Finalists are invited to become national ambassadors for the VET sector, joining past finalists in the ranks of the Australian VET Alumni. As alumni, finalists will be part of a network who inspire others to achieve their goals by sharing their stories, demonstrating the opportunities that VET provides and have the chance to contribute to policy discussions at a national level.

The Albanese Government knows VET equips Australians for the jobs they choose, with the skills they need for fulfilling and meaningful lives.

As a nation we reap the benefits of the dedication and commitment of VET students, teachers and trainers. It is fitting that every year we celebrate their achievements through these awards. 

The Government is supporting VET with significant initiatives, including investing $30 billion over 5 years with states and territories through the National Skills Agreement and continuing our commitment to Fee-Free TAFE through legislation.

So far there has been more than 508,000 enrolments in Fee-Free TAFE since it commenced in January 2023, with many more to come

Visit the Australian Training Awards website to see the list of finalists for this year, and for tickets to the awards.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Australian Training Awards celebrate the achievements of the vocational education and training sector. I would like to welcome the newest members of the Australian VET Alumni who by sharing their inspiring stories are encouraging other Australians to follow in their footsteps to become electricians, nurses, carpenters. carers and educators.

“I congratulate all 2024 Australian Training Award finalists. They are beacons for the opportunities that are available through VET. It is a great privilege that I get to recognise the hard work and dedication of these individuals, businesses and training providers working and delivering quality VET across all states and territories.

“A vibrant vocational education and training sector is vital to developing the skills we need now and into the future. We know that 9 out of 10 new jobs require a post-school qualification. Half of these qualifications will come through VET. The fantastic stories behind these finalists serve as inspiration for others to embark on great VET careers.”

Full list of the ATA Award 2024 Nominees

Individual

Apprentice of the Year Award

Finalist

Leanne Kell - Australian Capital Territory
Rachael Pearson - New South Wales

Asinate Bradbury - Northern Territory

Harry Roberts - Queensland

Bianca Taylor - South Australia

Benjamin Barker - Tasmania

Matthew Tyquin - Victoria

Ellie Wotherspoon - Western Australia

Trainee of the Year Award

Finalist

Ariah Holmes - Australian Capital Territory

Lachlan Carey - New South Wales

Storm Cloud - Northern Territory

Tessa Wallace OLY - Queensland

Lisa Brazzalotto - South Australia

Imogen Tyers - Tasmania

Emma Holgate - Victoria

Almira Dall - Western Australia

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award

Finalist

Rebecca Grace Martin - Australian Capital Territory

Baylun Williams-Pinkie - New South Wales

Vanessa Williams - Northern Territory

Rhonda Woolla - Queensland

Stephanie Hernandez - South Australia

Harley Mansell - Tasmania

Taylor Hampton - Victoria

Albert Bevan - Western Australia

Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award

Finalist

Lawson Connor - Australian Capital Territory

Dascha Harrison - New South Wales

Zane Edwards - Northern Territory

Chelsea Bostock - Queensland

Lara Wilson - South Australia

Aleira Chalker - Tasmania

Alicia Farr - Victoria

Ffion Henderson - Western Australia

Vocational Student of the Year Award

Finalist

Alyssa Tracey - Australian Capital Territory

Samantha Zannes - New South Wales

Courtney Stewart - Northern Territory

Atong Koot - Queensland

Zander Lee - South Australia

Andrew Bartlett - Tasmania

Carly Brown - Victoria

Thanh Thuy (Miley) Nguyen - Western Australia

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award

Finalist

Nadine Morton - Australian Capital Territory

Michael Pfeffer - New South Wales

Maureen Simon - Northern Territory

Rebecca Hoffensetz - Queensland

Dee Slade - South Australia

Renee Hinds - Tasmania

Dr Adam Bignold - Victoria

Lisa Piller - Western Australia

Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award

Finalist

Gemma Beall - New South Wales

Miriam Davies - Queensland

Sue James - South Australia

Business

Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award

Finalist

Essential Energy - New South Wales

Incat Tasmania - Tasmania

Cummins Asia Pacific – Victoria

Small Employer of the Year Award

Finalist

Surf Life Saving Northern Territory - Northern Territory

Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate Aboriginal Corporation (GMYPPBC) - Queensland

Howrah Plumbing – Tasmania

Large Employer of the Year Award

Finalist

Riviera Australia - Queensland

Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) - Victoria

WesTrac - Western Australia

Industry Collaboration Award

Finalist

IAHA NT Aboriginal Health Academy - Northern Territory

Palm Island Digital Service Centre - Queensland

Mobile Skills Lab - Aged Care Collaboration – Victoria

Innovation in VET Award

Finalist

Response Employment and Training - Northern Territory

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC) - South Australia

Airservices Australia – Victoria

Registered Training Organisation

School Pathways to VET Award

Finalist

CathWest Innovation College - New South Wales

Thebarton Senior College - South Australia

John Curtin College of the Arts - Western Australia

Small Training Provider of the Year Award

Finalist

On the Job Training - Queensland

FCTA - Building Careers - South Australia

Australian Institute of Engineering – Victoria

Large Training Provider of the Year Award

Finalist

Charles Darwin University - Northern Territory

TAFE SA - South Australia

MTA WA Training Inc - Western Australia