- Published:
- Friday 24 November 2017
Victoria has cemented itself as a national leader in vocational education and training after taking home seven awards at the Australian Training Awards.
For the second year in a row, a Victorian TAFE was named Australian Large Training Provider of the Year with Geelong’s The Gordon crowned 2017 winners in Canberra overnight.
Former Holmesglen Institute Director and one of the architects of Victoria’s TAFE system, Bruce Mackenzie, was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to vocational education and training.
In his 30-years at Holmesglen, Mr Mackenzie oversaw its expansion from humble beginnings in a Chadstone paddock to one of the nation’s largest TAFE providers delivering more than 600 courses to over 50,000 students.
Holmesglen also received two awards, the International Training Provider of the Year Award and the Industry Collaboration Award for Futuretech, a partnership with the Electrical Trade Union.
Futuretech offers 19 accredited and professional development courses in electro technology, telecommunications, cabling, OH&S and testing.
Other Victorian winners include Longerenong College’s Dustin Cross, who was named Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year.
Bethany Simpson, from Mildura Senior College took home the Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award and Chisholm Institute’s Kathrin Colgan was awarded the Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award.
Over the last three years, the Andrews Labor Government has invested heavily in training and TAFE, to make sure Victorians have access to high quality training so they can get a job.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney
“For the second year in a row, a Victorian TAFE has taken out the top prize at the Australian Training Awards. We’ve always backed TAFE and we’re now seeing the results.”
“Victoria’s success at the Australian Training Awards is a testament to all those people working hard to make sure we have a skilled workforce for the future.”
“We’re getting on with making sure every Victorian has access to high quality training so they can get a job.”