Inspiring Canberrans shine at 2025 Australian Training Awards
Canberra’s vocational education and training (VET) sector was recognised at the 2025 Australian Training Awards held in Darwin last night, with a local student and Canberra training program recognised for their leadership, inclusion and excellence.
Shane Vincent, the ACT’s Vocational Student of the Year, has been recognised nationally as Runner-Up for Australia’s Vocational Student of the Year, celebrating his exceptional dedication to mental health advocacy and vocational learning.
After initially considering an academic pathway in psychology, Shane opted for a vocational pathway that gave him the purpose and practical skills he needed to make an impact in his community.
The ACT Industry Collaboration of the Year, the Wodens Monaro Highway Civil Taster Program, earned Silver in the national Industry Collaboration Award. This recognition highlights its vital work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and disadvantaged individuals connected to the Alexander Maconochie Centre to gain skills and secure employment. Every graduate has received a job offer, creating life-changing opportunities.
The ACT winners and finalists become ambassadors for the strength and excellence of the ACT’s vocational education and training sector.
For more information on the 2025 Australian Training Awards and the winners visit the Australian Training Awards website.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“I congratulate the winners and finalists of the 2025 Australian Training Awards. They’re great ambassadors for Australia’s world-leading vocational education and training sector.
“VET is the engine room delivering the skilled workforce our communities need and rely on every day in sectors as diverse as nursing, construction, manufacturing, aged care and clean energy.
“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening the VET sector, including through our contribution of $12.6 billion over five years under the National Skills Agreement, and working with the states and territories to deliver Free TAFE, which recently marked more than 725,000 enrolments nationally.”
Quotes attributable to ACT Minister for Skills, Training and Industrial Relations, Michael Pettersson:
“I want to congratulate all ACT recipients at the Australian Training Awards for their outstanding achievements. These awards showcase the dedication and innovation that make our vocational education and training sector one of the strongest in the country.
“As our city grows, these skills are vital to driving economic development and preparing our people for the future. The ACT Government remains committed to supporting VET and strengthening our skills sector through initiatives like Fee-Free TAFE and various initiatives under the National Skills Agreement. Together, we’re building a resilient, adaptable workforce and creating quality jobs for our community.”
ENDS
Background:
Vocational Student of the Year (Runner Up) – Shane Vincent
This award recognises outstanding achievement by a vocational student in a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
As an inclusion manager for a peak body in Canberra, Shane strives to make workplaces more accessible. He’s a passionate advocate for mental health inclusion, and his vocational pathway helped shape his empathetic leadership style.
Industry Collaboration Award (Silver) – Wodens Monaro Highway Civil Taster Program
This award recognises exemplary skills development collaboration between at least one employer/industry body and at least one organisation delivering nationally recognised training.
Run by the St Vincent de Paul Society (Canberra/Goulburn), this collaborative pre-employment program is helping disadvantaged job seekers gain employment in Canberra’s civil construction sector. The program supports participants along the learning journey through nationally recognised training, safety certifications, culturally appropriate mentoring, and industry work placements