WA Training Awards 2008 - Winners

WESTERN AUSTRALIANS DRIVING INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING
The Department of Education and Training and State Training Board congratulate the winners of the WA Training Awards 2008 for their outstanding contribution to training in Western Australia. Many of these winners went on to represent Western Australia at the Australian Training Awards held in Darwin on 20 November 2008.

WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2008
sponsored by Newmont Australia

James Palmer

Trainer: Swan TAFE
Employer: Dudley Park Primary School
Prize: $7,000 study grant from Newmont Australia


James Palmer believes education should not be restricted to the classroom and is using his skills, knowledge and experience to support Indigenous youth in the Mandurah region. As an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer (AEIO), James is instilling the importance of education and training in his students and is assisting the school's teachers in developing an appropriate Indigenous curriculum. James prides himself on his community involvement. He is a member of the Mandurah Community Youth Patrol and a member of the Winjan Aboriginal Corporation and Follow the Dream committees. After completing a Certificate IV in Teacher Assistant, James is now hoping to attend university to complete a Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Social Services degree.  

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WA Trainee of the Year 2008
sponsored by McDonald's Australia Limited

Joanna Wren

Trainer: South West Regional College of TAFE
Employer: Wren’s Vegie Patch
Prize: $7,000 study grant from McDonald’s Australia Ltd


Joanna Wren has always worked in her family's market garden but only recently considered it as a real career path. After gaining a Certificate IV in Horticulture Joanna is now applying her knowledge to the family business. Currently studying a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Joanna is hoping to encourage other young people into the industry. With a passion for horticulture and a strong understanding of the employment and environmental challenges the industry faces, Joanna is committed to becoming a leader in her field. When not getting her hands dirty in the market garden, Joanna enjoys developing her artistic talents as a member of the Margaret River Theatre Company. 

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WA Vocational Student of the Year
sponsored by Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Debra Franks

Trainer: C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE
Prize: $7,000 study grant from Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations


Debra Franks draws on her own life experiences to encourage and empower other community members to gain skills for a positive future. Through her work as a school based community liaison officer, Debra has developed various groups and programs to boost attendance and achievement which have also helped to forge strong relationships with families and the wider community. After completing Certificates III and IV in Youth Work, Debra is now working towards a Certificate IV in Community Services Work with the aim of helping young people reach their full potential. With a positive outlook on life Debra believes anything is possible and works tirelessly to instil this feeling of confidence in the young people she works with.  

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WA Apprentice of the Year 2008
sponsored by John Hughes’ Group of Companies

Ashlee Scinocco

Trainer: Swan TAFE
Employer: Workplace Service
Prize: $7,000 study grant from the John Hughes’ Group of Companies


Ashlee Scinocco is a passionate furniture maker who is hoping to become a role model for other women thinking about entering a male dominated trade. With a keen eye for detail, Ashlee enjoys working with quality jarrah timber and is never afraid to think big. Ashlee's determination to be the best she can has seen her not only achieve excellence at work but also in other activities including gaining a yellow belt in martial arts. Ashlee hopes to one day open her own furniture business where she can then pass on her knowledge, skills and experience to the next generation of apprentices. 

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WA Trainer of the Year 2008
sponsored by Training Accreditation Council

Elizabeth Haythornthwaite

Trainer: C.Y. O’Connor College of TAFE
Prize: $7,000 study grant from Training Accreditation Council



Elizabeth Haythornthwaite is committed to developing new and innovative ways to deliver quality training to health and aged care trainees in the Wheatbelt. Instilling the importance of education in her students, Elizabeth has led by example, completing a Bachelor of Arts in training and development while full-time lecturing. Realising that skill shortages remain the biggest challenge for the aged care and health industries, Elizabeth continues to develop a range of accelerated learning techniques resulting in an increased number of trained graduates. Elizabeth is currently developing a certificate IV qualification which will give students a pathway into enrolled nursing. 

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WA Small Business of the Year 2008
sponsored by the Australian Institute of Management

Verriers Engineering Services

Prize: $8,000 training scholarship grant from the Australian Institute of Management

This family owned and operated business has been supporting the transport, mining, agricultural and food industries for the past 62 years. With a strong belief that training should be an integral part of any business, Verriers Engineering Services has invested heavily in its staff. Its 13 employees include fitters, welders' trade assistants, general hands, office and administration staff and two apprentices. With the understanding that skill shortages remain the biggest challenge to the industry, the company readily employs unskilled staff and trains them through TAFEWA, in house or private registered training providers. Through volunteer activities in secondary schools and the wider community, Verriers Engineering Services takes a pro-active approach in promoting quality training and informing jobseekers of the opportunities its industry offers. 

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WA Employer of the Year 2008
sponsored by the Australian Institute of Management

Western Australia Police
WA Police Academy

Prize: $8,000 training scholarship grant from the Australian Institute of Management

The Western Australia Police is responsible for policing the single largest jurisdiction in the world, covering an area more than 2.5 million square kilometres. The WA Police Academy is the focal point of education and training for all police officers and WA Police employees. The Academy offers around 20 training programs as well as a range of courses at a variety of levels. More than 130 internal trainers are stationed at the Academy to ensure all new employees receive skilled training in the areas they are assigned to. Based at the Joondalup Learning Precinct, the Academy offers unique facilities to its staff including a "scenario" village with closed circuit television, mock police station, banking facilities and service station. Through partnerships with Edith Cowan University, West Coast TAFE and the City of Joondalup, the Academy is leading the charge on its pursuit of excellence. 

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WA VET in Schools Award 2008
sponsored by Apprenticeships Australia

Central West TAFE

Prize: $8,000 from Apprenticeships Australia

Kicking Goals Catering for an area over 600,000 square kilometres, Central West TAFE is the major provider of VET in the Central West region. With a major campus in Geraldton and additional campuses at Carnarvon and Exmouth, Central West TAFE works alongside regional secondary schools to provide VET opportunities. In 2004, Central West TAFE partnered with Geraldton Senior College and Clontarf Midwest Football Academy to develop the Kicking Goals program which uses football as the vehicle to engage and educate the region's at risk students.
 

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WA Training Initiative Award 2008
sponsored by the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia

Macmahon Contractors 
Macmahon Indigenous Mining Trainee Program

Prize: $8000 cash from the Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia

Indigenous Mining Trainee Program - Newman Founded in 1963, the Perth based company employs more than 3200 staff and has invested in 120 apprentice employees throughout Australia. It has excelled in providing quality programs for trainees. To help address skill shortages, Macmahon has developed a specialised Indigenous trainee program specifically for the Newman area. Trainees can choose what direction their traineeship takes after experiencing on the job training in the different departments on the Newman mine site. Macmahon's pro-active approach to addressing the needs of its own industry is helping the company achieve its goals of retaining and recruiting a skilled workforce. 

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WA Small Training Provider of the Year 2008
sponsored by the Australian Council for Private Education and Training

Australian College of Training

Prize: $8000 cash from the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET)

The Australian College of Training is a national leader in food and meat processing training, offering flexible delivery to students from all over the world. Based in Western Australia, the college has offices in the eastern states and also delivers training in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Fiji. The college delivers resources for more than 500 nationally accredited units of competency ranging from certificate I to diploma. In 2008, it has delivered real and targeted training to 660 trainees and 180 students. Boasting a staff of 16 including four qualified food technologists, this internationally recognised trainer is committed to bringing structured learning and careers to its industry. 

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WA Large Training Provider of the Year 2008
sponsored by The Sunday Times

Great Southern TAFE

Prize: $8000 cash from The Sunday Times

Great Southern TAFE covers an area of 40,500 square kilometres and provides 95 per cent of the region's vocational education and training delivery. Established in 1974, Great Southern TAFE caters for the specific needs of the region, offering viticulture in Mount Barker and wool growing in Katanning. With around 7,000 students, it offers more than 200 courses and produces work ready graduates for a range of industries. Operating in a regional setting has allowed Great Southern TAFE to target the specific needs of local industries and it plays a significant economic and social role in the regional community. Its 350 staff continue to uphold its reputation as an innovative, progressive, quality training provider.