Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region, Shaun Leane MP today encouraged local students, teachers and training providers to get involved in the state’s premier awards recognising excellence across the training sector, the Victorian Training Awards.

Award winners will each receive $5,000 prize money and go on to represent Victoria at the 2018 Australian Training Awards.

Mr Leane said the region was shooting for two in a row at the awards with Mont Albert teacher Susan Morris winning the 2017 Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year award.

Ms Morris said winning the award had helped raise her profile and directly increased opportunities in her chosen field.

Now in their 64th year, the Victorian Training Awards celebrate collaboration and innovation across the state’s training sector by recognising the outstanding achievements of vocational education and training students, teachers and the businesses and training providers who train them.

There are 16 Award categories in this year’s awards: six individual categories; three training and four employer categories; an Industry Collaboration Award; and a Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

A new award has been added to the 2018 line up, with the Victorian Inclusive Training Provider of the Year Award to be presented for the first time this year.

The award is open to all TAFEs and private Registered Training Organisations across Melbourne and regional Victoria that have brought in innovative changes to support the achievement, engagement and wellbeing of students with additional needs.

Applications for the 2018 Victorian Training Awards close midnight on Friday 13 April 2018. Students and organisations can nominate for 2018 Victorian Training Awards at www.education.vic.gov.au/vta

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Shaun Leane

“These awards are a fantastic opportunity for training providers and students in Eastern Victoria to get recognised for their hard work and commitment.”

“This is an opportunity to celebrate our TAFEs and training, which are going from strength to strength – supported by record investment by the Andrews Labor Government.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney

 “These prestigious awards recognise the very best practice and innovation in training – celebrating the role our training sector plays in delivering real workplace skills that meet the need of both workers and employers.”