Nominations for the Andrews Labor Government’s 2023 Victorian Training Awards have now opened, recognising outstanding achievements in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.

There are 15 award categories, including seven for teachers and students, four for employers and four for training organisations.

Among last year’s winners were Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute (BKI), which won Large Training Provider of the Year in both the Victorian and Australian Training Awards for its centres of excellence in automotive, business and IT, food and health and community services.

Other winners include nursing student Caitlin Cook, who was named the Vocational Student of the Year in both the Victorian and Australian Training Awards, while the Arborists Don’t Grow on Trees program was the state and national winner of the Industry Collaboration Award for improving industry training and standards.

Winners for 2023 will be announced at the Victorian Training Awards gala ceremony in Melbourne in August with each one receiving $5,000 in prize money.

Winners will also have the opportunity to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards, where a Victorian Training provider has won for the past seven years.

The Victorian Training Awards are supported by long-term partnerships with the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and the Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN Australia).

Since 2019 in Victoria, more than 125,000 students have taken advantage of training in more than 70 Free TAFE courses, saving more than $325 million in tuition fees.

To nominate for the 2023 Victorian Training Awards visit vic.gov.au/victorian-training-awards. Applications close at midnight on Friday 12 May 2023.

The Awards coincide with Victoria hosting the WorldSkills Australian National Championships in August.