South Australian Training Awards

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:15): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills a question about how achievements in vocational education and training are recognised.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.T. NGO: We know vocational education and training is a valuable and viable pathway to gaining a meaningful career and that it is a sound choice for thousands of South Australians. We also know the importance of quality delivery in training and the impact it can have on success, both in qualifications and in gaining and prospering in future employment. My question is: can the minister tell the house about how outstanding achievement in vocational education and training is recognised both for individuals and organisations?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (15:16): I thank the Hon. Tung Ngo for his very informed question. The choice to undertake vocational education and training and to pursue skill-based careers is one of the most important decisions a young person and their family can often ever make. Skill-based training provides young people with a way to make a difference, grow the economy, and provide new businesses and jobs for Australia's future.

I was very pleased to attend the 20^th anniversary of the SA Training Awards recently which celebrated the achievements of our state's top students, employers, training organisations and teachers, those brilliant people who turn opportunity and aspiration into jobs and growth. As South Australia continues to move with our changing economic circumstance, it is more important than ever that we create a high-skill, high-value economy that is innovative and responsive to the challenges of the future.

Each of the finalists made a personal choice to create a future for themselves, to believe in their abilities and their capacity to learn and to change. Jessica Wooley, an electrician who moved to Adelaide from Kangaroo Island to pursue her chosen career, won the state's most prestigious award for apprentices. Jessica is employed by SA Power Networks and trained at TAFE SA. Not only did she excel as a woman working in a male-dominated trade but she also obviously undertook a fairly major life decision by moving to the mainland to help further her studies and work. It is a wonderful VET outcome and also a great achievement for a young woman.

Other categories were: Trainee of the Year, Timothy Spurling, trained by TAFE SA; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, Breeanna Folley; Vocational Student of the Year, Madeline Ziegler; School-based Apprentice of the Year and People's Choice Award winner, Reece Jongenelis; VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, Geoff Way; Industry Collaboration Award, Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North for the Caring Careers Project; Small Training Provider of the Year, North East Vocational College; Large Training Provider of the Year, Time Education and Training; Small Employer of the Year, Bowhill Engineering, a Murraylands fabrication business; and Employer of the Year, SA Power Networks.

The winners of the SA Training Awards will be South Australia's entry into the 2015 Australian Training Awards to be held in Hobart later on this year in November. Obviously, I really look forward to following the progress of our state's representatives as they compete for a national award and I wish all of them well in competing at that level. I am confident we will do well, given the calibre of the recipients of this round of awards.

Another recent opportunity to recognise and showcase the achievements of students in the VET sector was through the WorldSkills competition in Brazil. WorldSkills Australia aims to develop and nurture the skills of young Australians and encourage Australians to celebrate vocational education and training. WorldSkills holds competitions on regional, national and international levels.

Two young South Australians, Karl Geue and Daniel Picariello, recently travelled to Brazil as part of the Australian WorldSkills team, the Skillaroos, to compete on the international stage. Karl, a cabinetmaking apprentice from Kingston in the South-East, first began participating in woodwork classes in year 8 at Kingston Community School. He continued throughout his schooling, ultimately being offered an apprenticeship at Kingston Kabinets. Karl was successful in winning the gold medal in the national competition and, as such, was selected to join the Skillaroos team.

Daniel is undertaking an apprenticeship in wall and floor tiling and completing his training at TAFE SA's Tonsley campus. He is following in his family's footsteps, completing his apprenticeship in his father's business, Sabcal Tiling. Daniel gains a great sense of satisfaction after completing a job and was selected for the Skillaroos after winning silver in the national competition.

The Skillaroos' strong performance was the culmination of two years of intensive competition and one-on-one training. These amazing young Australians have demonstrated dedication and commitment to their professional development in the last two years. Their success in the international competition is testament that Australia is at the forefront of vocational education and training excellence. I congratulate those students.