2024 Award Winners

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Veolia Environmental Services

Benjamin grew up around vehicles and developed a love of fixing cars from spending time with his grandfather, an influential mentor, who he said taught him about patience and attention to detail. Benjamin has brought these skills and mindset into his Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology apprenticeship with environmental management company Veolia and has been recognised for his proactive approach in the workplace.

Benjamin has overcome significant personal challenges to take on leadership roles at Veolia, acting as a training representative at just 20 years of age, contributing to building a team environment, publicly advocating for the transport industry, and taking on the mentorship of the younger apprentices that have started with the business. His own early life experiences have given him the drive to help young people overcome challenges and be the best they can be, and to give back to his employer and the transport industry.

Certificate III Business

Training Provider: Work & Training

Employer: KEEN Partners hosted by Seasonal South

Imogen has gained useful skills during her traineeship that will help her career in hospitality and business management. Initially hoping to gain experience through a Tourism traineeship, Imogen swapped to a Certificate III in Business with the knowledge that she could better assist her employer, Seasonal South Motel, and the business’s charity, Due South.

The traineeship has provided Imogen skills in business administration, operations management, and customer service and the experience has helped her build a strong work ethic and the confidence to take on leadership roles. It has also provided her independence in her personal life. Imogen also supports Due South which provides wellness services for veterans and first responders. She has managed the back-end operations for the charity, running wellness courses, and is looking forward to contributing to its success in the future.

Certificate III in Guiding

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: wukalina Walk

pakana man Harley was working as a guide with wukalina Walk in 2022 when he decided to become a Lead Guide.In 2023 he enrolled into TasTAFE’s Certificate III in Guiding Course. Despite feeling anxious about starting the course, he found the environment welcoming, and has proudly put into action what he had learned.

Harley has become an advocate for TAFE studies, encouraging young community members to explore the options available to them. He says going out on country is important to Aboriginal people and his course has allowed learning in the classroom and on country. He says teamwork is an important part of the tours and that guests leave with accurate knowledge and a positive understanding of culture. Harley has performed as a dancer at NAIDOC Week events for Aboriginal Support Programs at TasTAFE in nipaluna/Hobart, which has allowed him to share culture with staff, students and young people.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Training Provider: Avidity Training and Development

Employer: Possability

Just a few years ago Andrew would not have predicted he would be working as an advocate and Disability Support worker and being asked to step into a Team Leader role with his employer Possability. Andrew had a challenging start and in his younger years had to navigate personal life challenges for a number of years before finding his way into the disability industry.

His personal journey has been tough and incredible. With support from training organisation Avidity and other supporters, and by completing his qualification, he has been able to recognise his own strengths and give back to others in the community. He says “I now have the confidence to advocate for myself... My dream job would be to become an advocate for those at risk or that are fearful due to their circumstances and for those that feel that their voice is not heard.”

Hobart City High School Big Picture

Certificate IV in Business

Training Provider: Scala The Training Company

Employer: Legislative Council Hobart

Aleira has demonstrated amazing leadership through her school-based apprenticeship and was lucky enough to gain an opportunity within the state government’s Legislative Council. She has been able to learn an incredible amount through her Business course and has shared her experiences with students and staff at the Big Picture School, presenting at Tasmanian Youth Forums as well as taking internships at a number of organisations to boost her experience.

More recently, she advocated for the development of the Youth Drop-in Centre in Glenorchy and through this interacted with community organisations and members of the community as well as with local political figures and schools. She was also a lead proponent in presenting the concept to the relevant Minister. She is looking forward to being an ambassador for the value of school-based apprenticeships and pursuing her passion for social justice.

Department for Education, Children and Young People RTO at Don College

Since commencing as a VET teacher in Early Childhood Education and Care nine years ago, Renee has built the capability for Don College to deliver effective training for the sector. Bringing her passion to make a difference, Renee has not only delivered in-classroom teaching but has also worked with the College and the community to establish opportunities for practical learning.

This has included providing students experience working with children at the Devonport Community House’s Playhouse and has transformed the College’s playgroup into a fully operational childcare centre. While still a work in progress, Renee’s pursuit of these solutions for students will also ensure that students can gain the necessary experience to meet the 160 hours of practical experience required to gain the qualification, while also elevating the visibility of the Early Childhood Education and Care sector and the value of this sector as a career path for students.

Elizabeth College

Certificate II in Tourism

Training Provider: Department for Education, Children and Young People RTO

Connor has enjoyed his Tourism studies, which has extended his hospitality experience and given him skills for his future pathway in the outdoor tourism sector. Already working as a food and beverage attendant at various venues, Connor has been able to bring his experience of the work environment into his class and conversely apply the knowledge from his tourism studies in his workplaces.

Since starting his course and doing work placements, Connor says his confidence and interpersonal skills have grown – “it has been a transformative experience. It has provided me with practical skills, boosted my confidence, and shaped my career aspirations. My training and work placements have equipped me with the knowledge and abilities to excel in the outdoor tourism industry, and I look forward to applying these skills to engage and inspire others.” He is excited to continue to develop his expertise and contribute to the community by promoting and facilitating outdoor activities.

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Training Provider: Avidity Training and Development

Employer: Possability

Throughout her school life Jennie was led to believe her options were limited and after she left school, and through her adult life, faced some twists and turns that dashed her confidence.

She decided to study Individual Support, with encouragement from her husband, family, friends and her grandson who said, ‘I believe in you nanny’. Today, Jennie is employed by Possability and has the important role of helping others and giving quality care to people.

Her journey is inspiring. She has bravely overcome challenges and is a shining light for what is possible through education and determination. ‘I hold a certificate in the industry I have always wanted to work in, from school age’ she explained.

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Vokes Mechanical and Engineering

Ryan’s journey has taken him from disengaged school-student to supporting his father with the family’s transport business. This came about through his passion for mechanics and the successful completion of his Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology qualification.

Ryan’s story is a great example of the statement that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and the transformation of his journey started at the King Island District High School in year 9 when his teacher realised Ryan’s interests, helped him to overcome challenges and then gain the skills he needed to consider undertaking a VET qualification. This valuable support continued at TasTAFE throughout his apprenticeship.

Howrah Plumbing provides comprehensive plumbing services to Southern Tasmania. We have employed more than 150 Apprentices and Trainees and value our commitment to training for the future.

We encourage our Plumbers to continue their training and enter the Cert IV program through TasTAFE and encourage our Senior Leadership Team to progress their careers through training. This year we commenced our Apprentice Mentoring Program which provides not only another layer of support but instils confidence in our apprentices to speak up if they’re struggling with tasks and learn from our Senior Plumbers.

Nexus is a Tasmanian NDIS registered disability support provider working with a wide range of people, including those with acquired disabilities, cognitive or developmental difficulties, autism, behavioural issues, and complex health needs.

We understand that investing in our staff through relevant, sustainable and ongoing training is essential to achieving our mission of supporting Tasmanians with disability to live the life they choose.

Our staff undergoes mandatory training for daily support as well as additional training programs specific to clients they work with including training in Autism, Trauma Informed Support, Epilepsy, and Complex Care.

By tailoring our training, we are ensuring that client needs are continually met, and staff feel supported and appropriately trained to do their job.

We know that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to support is ineffective. Through appropriate training, our team provides personalised and effective support leading to higher levels of client, family and staff satisfaction.

Athena Training Academy is passionate about transforming learners’ lives. Providing opportunities, skills, knowledge, and individual adjustments ensures learners gain confidence and thrive in their chosen industry.

Operating for 19 years, Athena is proudly Tasmanian-owned and operated, and our organisational values reflect the passion and commitment of our team—diversity and inclusion, humility, teamwork, collaboration, and innovation.

At Athena, we understand that every learner is unique. We adopt a learner-led training approach to deliver nationally accredited qualifications, skill sets and tailored non-accredited courses. Extensive value-add components empower our learners, ensuring they are exposed to real-life environments, resulting in obtaining positions in their chosen industries.

With a focus on innovation and values-based progression, we aim to provide training to a greater proportion of individuals facing disadvantage, alongside expanding tailored training for organisations, to ensure community growth and create genuine, positive outcomes.

Civil Job Start

Bethlehem House and MAX Employment worked together to deliver employability program opportunities with the goal of transitioning residents into employment and in turn, independent living. The first-time partnership worked with a targeted cohort of candidates that are experiencing significant barriers, predominately, homelessness.

Through the project, six partners contributed to the outcomes, with funding secured through state, federal and private channels. The Bethlehem House Civil Job Start program commenced in May 2024.

MAX and Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania collaborated to provide training under the High Vis Army Initiative by Tasmanian State Government. The program has achieved great outcomes to date including employment, obtaining licenses, mental health support plus an overall positive impact on confidence and independence.

The purpose of running the course onsite at Bethlehem House was to increase levels of engagement by removing potential barriers including transport, low motivation and mental health issues, all relevant factors that impact a person’s ability to consistently attend training that increase their opportunities of employment.

Parties to the collaboration: Bethlehem House; MAX Solutions; Civil Contractors Federation of Tasmania; Order of St John of Jerusalem; Knights HospitallerAustralasia Tasmanian Priory; Link Resources: Hobart and Southern Tasmania Employment Facilitator.

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Training Provider: TasTAFE

Employer: Work & Training hosted by Oral Health Tasmania

Hadi has shown grit and determination to complete his Certificate III in Dental Assisting and says that the hard work to gain a role with Oral Health Service Tasmania has been worth it. Moving to Australia in 2016, Hadi had to adapt to a new culture and language and when he graduated from college pursued a traineeship in dental assisting as a positive pathway into that industry.

Hadi has had to balance the rigour of study, alongside his traineeship, while also supporting his family, continuing to play soccer and working in a second job after hours. The traineeship has provided him hands-on experience, confidence and skills and has reaffirmed his commitment to the dental profession. He says he is “grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and I look forward to continuing my journey in this field.”

The Trevor Leo Medal was introduced in 2009 and is awarded to organisations or individuals who have made outstanding contributions to vocational education and training over a sustained period. The medal is named in honour of Trevor Leo who made an enormous contribution to Australia’s education and training sector for over 50 years.

The 2024 Medal recipient is Michael Frost.