2009 ACT Excellence Awards Organisational Winners
The Vikings Group
As a major employer in the ACT’s Tuggeranong Valley with over 300 staff, the Vikings Group has been recognised both locally and nationally as one of the most successful licensed clubs in the Canberra region. The Vikings Group believes they will always make the investment in their staff a priority and have adopted the theme of continuous improvement over the past 7 years. The Vikings Group recruitment model employs a strategy that involves providing more than just a job in hospitality. They understand they need to provide careers that have diversity and opportunity. This model involves school education programs, opportunities for Australian School-based Apprenticeships across the organisation and vocational placements including bar operations, club reception and administrative clerk assistance and events management assistants. In addition to this, the Vikings Group also offers permanent part time casual roles in a variety of positions. The Vikings Group believe staff development is one of the keys to survival in an ever increasingly competitive industry such as the club industry.
ACT Small Registered Training Organisation of the Year
Regional Group Training
Regional Group Training (RGT) has embraced the vocational education and training (VET) system. They have shown a commitment by responding to the market, consulting industry, recruiting industry experts and taking a flexible training approach. VET is the core business of RGT. They deliver training through their Registered Training Organisations, provide employment opportunities through their Group Training Organisation and promote VET through their Australian Apprenticeship Centre. RGT is committed to excellence in training and focuses on outcomes for clients by ensuring the training is tailored to suit the requirements of the organisation. RGT’s leading practices are evident in the success of several Australian Apprentices and Trainees trained by RGT and continual success in the ACT Training Excellence Awards and WorldSkills competition.
ACT Large Training Organisation of the Year
Canberra Institute of Technology
The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the ACT’s largest publicly owned education institution with Registration Training Organisation (RTO) status. CIT delivers more than 400 programs leading to qualifications recognised nationally and internationally. CIT also provides an expanding range of VET in Schools programs across the ACT and in secondary schools. CIT reaches its students through a series of learning centres located in five campuses and two flexible learning centres, with a third centre being developed. Creative learning options are used in classrooms, distance and online learning, within workplaces and stimulated work environments. CIT is an organisation aiming for and achieving leadership through its vocational education and training practices in Australia.
ACT VET in Schools Excellence Award
Canberra College Futures Program
The Canberra College Futures Program delivers a specialised education program to students identified by the ACT Department of Education and Training as having a special need. The Futures Program offers a comprehensive educational package of Board of Senior Secondary Studies accredited core courses and electives. The Program focuses on preparing students so they will maximise their potential in future environments. The Program develops students’ core functional literacy and numeracy skills as well as offering opportunities to undertake study in elective areas of personal interest such as art, dance, photography, current affairs and physical education. The uniqueness and a very strong reputation for excellence has seen the Program exceed enrolment capacity for 2009. The Futures Program has become the showcase of best practice in the provision of educational and vocational training for college aged students with special educational needs.
ACT Training Initiative Award
St Edmund’s College
St Edmund’s College takes pride in the vocational program that is currently being offered by its Hospitality Department. This department consistently delivers high level learning and training opportunities for the students at the college. The program provides a quality vocational experience where students are exposed to a simulation of a practical industry experience in the Hospitality Skills Centre. The department’s key role is to integrate a learning environment that incorporates a number of new and exciting training initiatives for all ages on a vocational level. The department’s emphasis is on engaging students from as early as primary years to become involved in the program.
ACT Business of the Year – Vocational School Placement
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) takes pride in attempting to provide a very holistic level of training and placement for students. They do this by ensuring the student is given variance in tasks across their capabilities. The students have an opportunity to go to meetings and work with different teams so they can experience different activities AMSA is involved in and get a feel for the team dynamics and structure. AMSA aims to provide students with an accurate feel for the workplace and department as a whole.
