TRAINING AWARDS

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills. Can the minister inform the house about recognition that highlights outstanding achievement in vocational education and training in South Australia?

The Hon. T.R. KENYON (Newland—Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Recreation and Sport) (15:10): South Australia is recognised for our outstanding vocational education and training. Far from resting on our laurels, this state government is continuing to modernise our vocational education and training through the Skills for All reforms. These reforms will further increase the number of South Australians in training, further increase the overall skill levels in the state and further assist business and industry to ensure that they have the skilled workers required to succeed in the modern economy.

Nominations have now opened for the 2012 South Australian Training Awards—our peak state awards in vocational education and training. These awards, hosted by the Training and Skills Commission, recognise the accomplishments of students, apprentices, trainers, training organisations and businesses in South Australia's vocational education and training sector.

Individual award winners have the opportunity to raise their profiles and build their careers. Organisations have the chance to be recognised as leaders in South Australia for innovative approaches to vocational education and training. Nominations for the South Australian Training Awards are now open and are open until Friday 25 May, with the winners expected to be announced on Friday 14 September.

Importantly, all winners are given an opportunity to represent South Australia at the Australian Training Awards that will be held on Friday 16 November in Melbourne. South Australia was very well represented at last year's Australian Training Awards, showing yet again that our state is producing outstanding individuals and organisations in the vocational education and training sector.

TAFE SA Regional was awarded the Large Training Provider of the Year. This award highlighted the high-quality skills training provided by TAFE SA to more than 24,000 students across 43 campuses and learning centres in regional South Australia.

The Australian Vocational Student of the Year was awarded to Vanessa Corbell, who excelled in her studies to complete a Certificate III in Floristry at the TAFE SA Tea Tree Gully campus. The Small Employer of the Year was awarded to the Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic. This award was for the clinic's commitment to ongoing staff development integrated with accredited vocational education and training provided by the TAFE SA Gilles Plains campus.

The runner-up to the best VET Teacher of the Year was awarded to Dr Lewis Vaughan, a lecturer at the Veterinary and Applied Science Centre at Gilles Plains. Finally, Alexander Nikielski was the runner-up for the Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year. He undertook an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship at St Patrick's Technical College and completed an electrotechnology electrician certificate III at TAFE SA Elizabeth campus.

The SA Training Awards showcase high-quality training and strong industry partnerships that are vital for improving skill levels to ensure our state's continued economic success. I call on all our outstanding individuals and organisations from our vocational education and training sector to nominate for the South Australian Training Awards.

The SPEAKER: That was fine, but I will let ministers know that there is a move to try to find some way that we can provide a clock so ministers know that their time is nearly up, but that was nothing to do with you. You had plenty of time left, but we are looking at a system where ministers do know how much longer they have with the new sessional order. The member for Unley.