Outstanding individuals and organisations in the TAFE and training sector can now be nominated for a Victorian Training Award.

The prestigious event is now in its 67th year and recognises the achievements of apprentices, students, teachers and employers.

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today opened nominations while visiting Rose City Vets in Benalla to present the VTA Trophy to 2020 Trainee of the Year winner Nicole Barrow.

There are six award categories for individuals, four for employers and four for training organisations as well as the Industry Collaboration Award and the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Winners will receive $5000 prize money and winners in some categories will have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.

Applications close at midnight on Friday 4 June 2021 and winners will be announced at a gala ceremony in Melbourne in September.

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

Last year’s winners included South West Institute of TAFE (SWTAFE) which was named the Large Training Provider of the Year in both the Victorian and Australian Training Awards for its innovative learning approach, smart classrooms and leadership in supporting students from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

TAFE Gippsland forestry teacher Kevin Nunn won both the Victorian Training Awards and Australian Training Award Teacher/Trainer of the Year categories. The Builders Academy Victoria was named the state and national winner of the Small Training Provider of the Year Award.

Since 2015, the Government has invested to rebuild TAFE, refurbish campuses, launch Free TAFE for Priority Courses and support disadvantaged students into training and jobs.

In the Victorian Budget 2020/21, we invested a record $1 billion to make sure the state has the training and skills system it needs to emerge stronger from the coronavirus pandemic. To nominate for the Victorian Training Awards 2021 visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/vta