2010 ACT Excellence Award Winners
Apprentice of the Year
Ross Ingham
Qualification: Certificate III in Plumbing
Employer: J & b Plumbing
Ross is employed by J & b Plumbing and has completed his apprenticeship with the Canberra Institute of Technology. Ross decided at the age of 26 to do an Apprenticeship in Plumbing after many years working in the hospitality industry. Ross plans to move straight into a post trade qualification and do his Advanced Plumbing license. When Ross decided to do an apprenticeship he set himself a goal and that was to run a successful plumbing business of his own, based on great service, value and pride. Ross also intends to continue his training in speciality areas of plumbing. Ross is actively involved in fund raising for the Eden Monaro Cancer Support Group. Ross believes that the value of learning has a key place in any industry. It gives an opportunity to others who may only specialise in one area of a trade to experience other aspects of the profession. Education and Training is a vital tool in any industry to gain a sound understanding of your job role and requirements.
Winner of Trainee of the Year
Emma Goodwin
Qualification: Certificate IV in Business
Employer: Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council
Emma works at the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council that represents the workforce training and skills development needs of the construction and property services industries. Emma is keen to continue growing in her knowledge and skills area and has commenced a Project Management qualification. Emma believes through completing her Certificate IV in Business, she has gained many life-long skills. Her self confidence has grown through meeting new people, working with a diverse team and taking on workplace and study challenges. Community involvement is important to Emma and she is regularly seen selling raffle tickets, assisting with fundraising stalls for local sporting groups. Emma believes that Australian Apprenticeships are a sound investment in your own future.
Winner of Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year Certificate III
Megan Cox
Qualification: Certificate III in Aged Care
Employer: Jindalee Aged Care Residence
College: St Clare’s College
Megan works at Jindalee Aged Care Residence while still attending full time studies completing her year 12 at St Clare’s College. Megan has experienced a lot of things working in the aged care industry that the average 17 year old normally would not, but Megan says all of these experiences have made her a better person and given her the opportunity to improve the quality of life for residents at Jindalee. Megan has continued her training and has commenced her Certificate IV in Aged Care. Once completed this will enable Megan to move into a Nursing qualification. Volunteering for SID’s and Kids at Christmas time, fundraising for local charities including the Blind Society, Heart Foundation and preparing more than 300 lunches for SES members are all part of the community work that Megan also finds time to contribute to. Megan says,” Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand”.
Winner of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Apprentice Trainee or Student of the Year
Darren Chong
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Darren has successfully completed Certificate III in Business Administration. Darren is a proud Waanyi and Gangalidda man and his people come from North Queensland. Darren has achieved his qualification through the Indigenous Traineeship with ACT Heritage Unit. In September Darren represented the ACT Heritage Unit and the ACT Indigenous Trainee Program at a National Indigenous conference on “Perspectives on Urban Life”: Connections and Reconnections held by Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Darren initially applied for the trainee program so he could better himself and become a positive figure to Aboriginal People and a role model to our youth. Currently Darren’s goal is to keep learning from his colleagues, tutors and training facilitators to further his ability in his work and to enhance his skills in relation to mediation and advocacy as well as mentoring.
Winner of the Vocational School Student of the Year
Morgan Tozer
Qualification: Certificate II in Business Administration, Applied Fashion and Hospitality
College: Daramalan College
Morgan is a year 12 student at Daramalan College. She is currently studying three vocational courses comprising of Business, Hospitality and Applied Fashion Design and Technology. These vocational courses will offer Morgan many pathways after school to pursue a career. Morgan’s immediate goal is to continue to work hard in her three vocational subjects while completing her year 12. Morgan hopes to travel next year working around the world in hospitality. This will give her an extraordinary amount of experience which will benefit her in further studies. Upon her return Morgan intends to study a Diploma of Hospitality at the Canberra Institute of Technology. Morgan has a strong community focus and often helps out in community service activities.
Winner of Vocational Student of the Year
Sharon Dale
Qualification: Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy
Sharon began her studies in 2007 as a full time student at the Canberra Institute of Technology. She was aided in her studies by the CIT Disability Unit who provided unlimited support through technological aids and training, scribing, and other various implementations and suggestions to enhance her overall study journey. Sharon started her career path in 1979 and studied Certificate IV in Dental Nursing while employed in Orthodontics and after suffering an injury, Sharon found herself unemployed for two years and decided that she needed to retrain to enter the workforce again. Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy seemed a natural progression as Sharon was already a competent Reiki Master. Her qualification has provided her with the knowledge of her own medical issues and how to treat them naturopathically when orthodox medicine failed. Sharon is looking at specialising in anxiety, depression, and stress issues, particularly in adolescents and young adults when she starts her own business.
Winner of Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year Certificate II
Adam Harmey
Qualification: Certificate II in Automotive
College: St Francis Xavier College
Employer: Braddon Service Centre
Adam has been a keen motor enthusiast for many years and has always wanted to expand his knowledge in the industry. When Adam found that there was an opportunity to start an apprenticeship while still remaining at school and receiving his Year 12 certificate at St Francis Xavier College, he jumped at it. Adam does his training with Regional Group Training and his host employer is Braddon Service Centre. When Adam completes his Certificate II in Automotive he plans to continue into a Certificate III. An Australian School Based Apprenticeship was a great choice for me as the mechanical industry is where I want to be now and into the future. Adam says,’ follow your dreams, listen to your heart and do what your good at, if you are in an industry that you enjoy it provides you with more incentive to create a career out of a job’.
Norm Fisher Award
Karen Nicholas
This year’s recipient is a motivated, articulate and passionate business person who has been contributing to the Vocational Education and Training sector for over 20 years. She has continuously demonstrated her passion for the sector through her relentless and extensive contribution to vocational education and training in the Australian Capital Territory.
The recipient’s dedication to excellence in training was epitomised her establishment of a Registered Training Organisation Learning Options, in 2002. She is truly passionate about vocational education and training. She has always been dedicated to sharing resources and information, as a large amount of the resources that she has developed are available to the wider vocational and educational training community for free.
The recipient of this year’s Norm Fisher Award presented for outstanding and extensive contribution as an individual to vocational education and training in the Australian Capital Territory is Karen Nicholas.
John Scott Memorial Award
Brian O'Reilly
This year’s recipient of the John Scott Memorial Award is an individual who has shown an outstanding commitment to improving the quality and responsiveness of the vocational education and training sector in the Australian Capital Territory.
During his many years working in the ACT building and construction industry, and in particular the plumbing sector, he was tirelessly promoting entry-level and vocational training to the youth of Canberra. His knowledge and passion for the training of apprentices was exceptional. He was at the forefront of the introduction of competency based training, opening up opportunities for young people previously excluded from achieving their best. He has always had an eye to the future and his foresight was instrumental in the establishment of the CIT Plumbing, Drainers and Gasfitters College in Fyshwick.
For outstanding commitment to vocational education and training in the ACT business sector the John Scott Memorial Award is presented to Brian O’Reilly.
