Celebrating Our Vocational Skills Stars

Melbourne Polytechnic and the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) were among the winners of the 70th annual Victorian Training Awards.

Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney congratulated the award winners at the Victorian Training Awards Gala Event on Friday 30 August, highlighting the sector's remarkable progress over the past 70 years in providing high-quality, inclusive training for all Victorians.

Throughout its 70 year history, the awards have celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals, teachers, employers and training providers across the state.

The Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement was awarded to Virginia Simmons for her long and productive career in TAFE leadership. Virginia was the first woman to become Director of a TAFE and is the longest-serving female TAFE Chief Executive Officer in Victoria.

Young butcher Matthew Tyquin was awarded Apprentice of the Year. Matthew started an apprenticeship with William Angliss Institute and hasn’t looked back, taking home the title of World Champion Butcher Apprentice at the World Butchers Challenge in the US in 2022.

Vocational Student of the Year winner Carly Brown was recognised for her advocacy for young women in trades. Having completed a Certificate II in Electrotechnology at Northern College of Arts and Technology, Carly now has her sights set on securing an electrical apprenticeship.

SWTAFE took home the Industry Collaboration Award - alongside its partners Eventide, Edgarley Assisted Living, Calvary Community Care and Mulleraterong - for their Mobile Skills Lab. The first-of-its-kind in Victoria, this simulated aged care workplace helps remote learners gain the experience they need for this in-demand industry.

Award winners received $5,000 prize money, and selected winners will go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra this December.

The event is supported by principal partner Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN Australia).

Meet all the winners and finalists from the 2024 Victorian Training Awards and congratulations to the 2024 winners.

• Apprentice of the Year – Matthew Tyquin
• Trainee of the Year – Emma Holgate
• Vocational Student of the Year – Carly Brown
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Alicia Farr
• Koorie Student of the Year – Taylor Hampton
• Teacher/Trainer of the Year – Dr Adam Bignold
• Small Employer of the Year – One World Children's Centre
• Large Employer of the Year – VACCA
• Employer Award for Apprenticeship Development – NECA Education and Careers
• Industry Collaboration Award – SWTAFE Mobile Skills Lab and Aged Care Collaboration
• Community Training Provider of the Year – Foundation Learning Centre
• Inclusive Training Provider of the Year – catalyst training
• Small Training Provider of the Year – Australian Institute of Engineering
• Large Training Provider of the Year – Melbourne Polytechnic

Read more Victorian Skills Authority news.