MS TIERNEY (Western Victoria—Minister for Training and Skills, Minister for Higher Education) (12:07:40): I rise to update the chamber on the outstanding success of regional Victoria at this year’s Victorian Training Awards last Friday night. Now in its 65th year, the Victorian Training Awards recognise the achievements of Victoria’s VET sector. Regional Victoria won big-time this year. The Large Training Provider of the Year is Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. SuniTAFE has been recognised for its leadership in responding to local needs in north-west Victoria. The Community Training Provider of the Year is Cire Services in the Yarra Ranges. They have been recognised for the range of innovative programs and partnerships they have developed to support disadvantaged groups in the region to re-engage in education and achieve employment. As I noted earlier today, Victoria’s Koorie Student of the Year is Tanya McDonald. Tanya came through a background of family violence to complete a diploma of community services at South West TAFE and obtain full employment. The Trainer of the Year is Jodi Rechsteiner-Sanders from GOTAFE. Jodi is a qualified chef teaching in the hospitality and Victorian certificate of applied learning departments. She came to teaching in her mid-30s and has an unwavering passion for achieving outcomes for all of her students, adapting courses to the individual needs of students. The Employer Award for Apprenticeship Development went to Seymour Health. Seymour Health designed its school-based apprenticeship and traineeship program in 2018 to instil confidence and self-belief in marginalised local youth. This program is changing the lives of so many locals in the community. Regional Victoria is at the forefront of outstanding education and training that responds to local needs. All winners at the Victorian Training Awards will represent this state at the National Training Awards in November, and I am sure all of them will do us proud.
Category: Parliament
