Twelve individual and organisational winners have been recognised as outstanding apprentices, trainees, students at Friday night's WA Training Awards 2018 presentation dinner. The WA Training Awards highlight the achievements of apprentices, trainees, VET students, training organisations and employers in the training sector.
Women in vocational education and training (VET) were in the spotlight, winning seven of the eight individual categories. Bassendean electrician Megan Feaver, who decided to take the leap into the male-dominated trade later in life, was named WA Apprentice of the Year 2018 at the event. The South Metropolitan TAFE graduate has excelled since making the career change, securing a coveted Western Power apprenticeship and winning Western Power's Apprentice of the Year. Already actively involved with the Women in Male Dominated Occupations and Industries network, Megan aspires to lead and encourage women into non-traditional trades. And Megan was in good company – while women made up less than half of publicly funded enrolments in the VET sector in 2017, more than 70 per cent of the pool of WA Training Awards 2018 finalists were female.
Some category winners will now advance to compete against the nation's best at the Australian Training Awards in Sydney on November 15, 2018.Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery, attending the presentation dinner, said "This year's WA Training Awards have shone a light on women excelling in STEM and non-traditional trades while making the most of the opportunities offered by WA's VET sector. The training system provides opportunities for people to change their lives - to take up their dream career, get a better pay packet and improve their skills. The awards highlight those apprentices, trainees and students who are doing just that, as well as the trainers and employers giving them the opportunity and the skills. I congratulate all winners and finalists on their achievement – they are inspiring others to take advantage of WA's high-quality training sector, helping ensure WA has the skilled workforce it needs to fill the jobs of the future."
A full list of winners with their profiles, and photographs from the night, will soon be available on the WA Training Awards website.
The WA Apprentice of the Year 2018, sponsored by MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Megan Feaver, South Metropolitan TAFE
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year 2018, sponsored by ECA WA
Caitlin Whittle, Tubal Workplace Training
WA Trainee of the Year 2018, sponsored by McDonald's Australia
Beth Hodder, ABS Institute of Management; Australian Industry Training
WA Vocational Student of the Year 2018, sponsored by Crown Perth
Caitlan Noble, North Metropolitan TAFE
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2018, sponsored by The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation
Soleil White, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services and North Regional TAFE
WA International Student of the Year 2018
Ananda Paiva, North Metropolitan TAFE
WA Cultural Diversity Training Award 2018
William Bol, North Metropolitan TAFE
WA Trainer of the Year 2018, sponsored by Training Accreditation Council
Crystle Challinger, Canning Vale College
WA Employer of the Year 2018, sponsored CCI Apprenticeship Support Australia
Roy Hill, Perth Airport
WA Industry Collaboration Award 2018
Central Regional TAFE - Biodiversity Conservation Collaboration, Geraldton
WA Small Training Provider of the Year 2018
Mental Health Commission - Strong Spirit Strong Mind Aboriginal Programs, Perth
WA Large Training Provider of the Year 2018
North Metropolitan TAFE