THE winners of the 2013 ACT Training Excellence Awards were announced at a ceremony on Thursday night.

The awards, in their 76th year, recognise outstanding commitment and leadership in 12 categories including VET teacher, Vocational Student of the Year, Trainee of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Apprentice of the Year.

ACT Minister for Education and Training Joy Burch, who presented the awards at the Canberra Southern Cross Club, says the awards complement the ACT Government’s commitment to building a well-trained, skilled and flexible workforce.

“This is built on a strong relationship between industry, government and training providers to create opportunities for employment, promotion and lifelong learning,” she says.

“The winners in some categories will go on to represent the ACT at the National Training Awards in Perth in November. I wish the very best of luck to all of finalists and I thank them for their contribution to the ACT VET system.”

The winners of the 2013 ACT Training Excellence Awards are:

? VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year – Colin Prest (Canberra Institute of Technology)

? Small Registered Training Organisation of the Year – Australian Indigenous Leadership Centre

? Large Registered Training Organisation of the Year – Canberra Institute of Technology

? VET in Schools Excellence Award – CCCares @ Canberra College

? Vocational School Student of the Year – Nicholas Arganese (St Francis Xavier College)

? ACT Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year – Certificate III – Maddison McDonald

(Merici College)

? ACT Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year – Certificate II – Adam Halls (Lake

Tuggeranong College)

? Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student, Trainee or Apprentice of the Year – Angella Martin

(Canberra Institute of Technology)

? Vocational Student of the Year – Ian Goudie (Canberra Institute of Technology)

? ACT Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year – Thomas Whyte (Skilled Group Training)

? ACT Australian Apprentice (Apprentice) of the Year – Mitchell Croke (Sign Letters N Lines)

? Large Employer of the Year – UberGlobal Pty Ltd