Eligibility and selection criteria: Individual categories

Apprentice of the Year

The Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to a Victorian apprentice who has displayed outstanding achievement in all aspects of their trade.

The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Have completed or be due to complete your training course in the period 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2023
Be registered in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to the award you are applying for
Have completed or be due to complete your training in the state of Victoria
Have a contract of training registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Not be enrolled at school.

Apprentice of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
1. why you chose your course
2. what you have learnt and how you have changed
3. what you have gained from your time studying
4. how you have contributed to your workplace.
Tell us about:
1. what you have been able to tell others (workmates, employers, friends or family) about your training
2. what you like about working in a team setting
3. what traits you think are important to positively influence others.
Tell us about:
1. times when you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work
2. any times when you have been a representative for your course, your training provider or another cause outside of your training
3. how you would describe the quality of your training.
Tell us about:
1. any challenges that you have overcome during your training
2. any times you have used initiative either in your training, your personal life or your workplace
3. the qualities or activities you feel would be useful in your role as Apprentice of the Year
4. your involvement in other community or industry pursuits.

Trainee of the Year

The Trainee of the Year Award is presented to a Victorian individual who is undertaking a traineeship and has been outstanding in all aspects of their training. The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Have completed or be due to complete your training course in the period 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2023
Be registered in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to the award you are applying for
Have completed or be due to complete your training in the state of Victoria
Have a contract of training registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Not be enrolled at school.

Trainee of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
1. why you chose your course
2. what you have learnt and how you have changed
3. what you have gained from your time studying
4. how you have contributed to your workplace.
Tell us about:
1. what you have been able to tell others (workmates, employers, friends or family) about your training
2. what you like about working in a team setting
3. what traits you think are important to positively influence others.
Tell us about:
1. times when you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work
2. any times when you have been a representative for your course, your training provider or another cause outside of your training
3. how you would describe the quality of your training.
Tell us about:
1. any challenges that you have overcome during your training
2. any times you have used initiative either in your training, your personal life or your workplace
3. the qualities or activities you feel would be useful in your role as Apprentice of the Year
4. your involvement in other community or industry pursuits.

Vocational Student of the Year

The Vocational Student of the Year Award is presented to a student whose outstanding achievement in a course of study led to a nationally recognised qualification.

The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Have completed or be due to complete your training course in the period 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2023
Be registered in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to the award you are applying for
Have completed or be due to complete your training in the state of Victoria.
Be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student (but not as an apprentice or trainee).

Vocational Student of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
- what you have been able to tell others (workmates, employers, friends or family) about your training
- what you like about working in a team setting
- what traits you think are important to positively influence others.
Tell us about:
- times when you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work
- any times when you have been a representative for your course, your training provider or another cause outside of your training
- how you would describe the quality of your training.
Tell us about:
- any challenges that you have overcome during your training
- any times you have used initiative either in your training, your personal life or your workplace
- the qualities or activities you feel would be useful in your role as Vocational Student of the Year
- your involvement in other community or industry pursuits.

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

The School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time Victorian School-based Apprentice or Trainee. The award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school and in the workplace. The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Have completed or be due to complete your training in the state of Victoria
Be undertaking or completing a Certificate II or above qualification, through a Victorian School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship
Have a contract of training registered with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
Be enrolled at school.

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
- why you chose your course
- what you have learnt and how you have changed
- what you have gained from your time studying
- how you have contributed to your workplace.
Tell us about:
- what you have been able to tell others (workmates, employers, friends or family) about your training
- what you like about working in a team setting
- what traits you think are important to positively influence others.
Tell us about:
- times when you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of school
- any times when you have been a representative for your course, your training provider/school or another cause outside of your training
- how you would describe the quality of your training.
Tell us about:
- any challenges that you have overcome during your training
- any times you have used initiative either in your training, your personal life or your school
- the qualities or activities you feel would be useful in your role as Vocational Student of the Year
- your involvement in other community or industry pursuits.

Koorie Student of the Year

The Koorie Student of the Year Award recognises the achievements of a Koorie student who demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning for themselves and their community. The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Identify as Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander
Meet the eligibility requirements for any of the individual student categories:
- Apprentice of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.

Koorie Student of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
- why you chose your course
- what you have learnt and how you have changed
- what you have gained from your time studying
- any challenges that you have overcome during your training.
Tell us about:
- what you have been able to tell others (students, friends or family) about your training
- what you like about working in a team setting
- what traits you think are important to positively influence others.
Tell us about:
- times when you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work/school
- any times when you have been a representative for your course, your training provider or another cause outside of your training
- how you would describe the quality of your training.
Tell us about:
- how you are connected with your community or extended family
- how the training has impacted on your community
- the qualities or activities you feel would be useful in your role as Koorie Student of the Year
- how you have contributed to your community.

Teacher/Trainer of the Year

The Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a teacher/trainer providing nationally recognised training to students in the TAFE and training sector. The winner of this award will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility

You must:

Be a permanent resident of Australia
Have qualified (as determined by the Australian Qualifications Framework) as a teacher/trainer
Be employed (or regularly contracted) by a registered training provider
Have delivered training in Victoria (from 1 January 2022 - 31 December 2023) which will lead/has led to nationally recognised qualifications or Statements of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework national training system.
All applicants must be endorsed by the RTO and evidence of the teacher/trainer’s qualification must be submitted with the application.

Teacher/Trainer of the Year Selection Criteria

Tell us about:
- what involvement you have had in the development of new learning methodologies and training delivery
- an initiative you have implemented which has led to innovation or improvement in your delivery and/or assessment practice
- how you have shared the outcomes of your innovation or improvement with your colleagues
- the impact of these initiatives or improvements on your learners, your colleagues and your industry partners.
Tell us about:
- how you support your learners’ diverse needs and ensure they continue to be engaged in learning
- what evidence there is of the effectiveness of the design and delivery methodologies of your training program
- any examples where you have initiated a new idea or activity etc. in response to feedback
- what learner, industry and/or community feedback mechanisms you have utilised.
Tell us about:
- how you maintain and grow your own skills and knowledge
- how you support others to develop their skills and knowledge
- examples of your engagement with other VET professionals.
Tell us about:
- how active links with industry and the community are implemented in practice
- what are the major issues confronting the industry/industries related to your teaching program
- how VET practices can help address these issues
- what level of engagement you have with industry and professional bodies
- how you promote VET in industry and the community.

Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetimme Achievement

The Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented in recognition of an individual’s outstanding leadership and contribution to the Victorian TAFE and training sector for more than 15 years. A contribution may be a new innovation, new knowledge, or ways to improve professional practice deemed to be above and beyond the everyday with a long-lasting impact within the sector.

This award has unique nomination procedures and eligibility:

Individuals cannot self-nominate for this award category; nominations must be made on behalf of an individual.
Nominees do not need to be currently employed to be eligible for this award.
Once an individual has been nominated for the award, they become an enduring nominee and, if not successful initially, are eligible for consideration for this award in subsequent years.
A posthumous nomination can be made for this award.

Eligibility

The nomination follows the eligibility set by the Australian Training Awards.

The nominated individual must:

Have an established history of distinguished service to the TAFE and training sector (15 years or more, of sustained service)
Have made a positive and lasting contribution to the TAFE and training sector
Be recognised by other industry, training, education or employer groups; and have the respect of professional peers
Be acknowledged as having reached a pinnacle of their profession or industry
Have demonstrated, over an extended period of time, a contribution which has included either research, industry achievement, professional leadership and service to the TAFE and training sector
Have demonstrated high-level personal integrity
Have exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others in the TAFE and training sector
Have positively influenced the TAFE and training sector in Victoria
Have made significant and fundamental contributions and be able to demonstrate a lifetime commitment to the TAFE and training sector.

Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement Selection Criteria

Consider the nominee’s history of service to the VET and skills sector - in particular, positions of leadership the nominee has held such as on boards or as chair of committees. Any other known history in the sector, such as participation on committees and workgroups, and any examples of the nominee representing the VET and skills sector officially as a liaison to other organisations or at state, national or international meetings. Additionally, consideration is given to an individual’s broader contributions to the VET and skills sector. (Limit: 800 words)
Consider the nominee’s significant contribution(s) to the advancement of vocational education and training practice and skills development, including teaching or training positions or programs, awards or recognition from professional or industry groups and institutions, and/or innovative approaches to difficulties. How will the nominee’s story inspire others to higher standards in their work or to raise the communities’ perception of the VET and skills sector? (Limit: 800 words)
The nominee’s leadership in the field of vocational education and training including, but not limited to, positively influencing policy or practice on a state, national or international level.

This may include Government committees and workgroups, advocacy, senior positions, other training, mentoring or committee participation. How have they “made a difference” in some way? (Limit: 800 words)