Award opens door for Gordon student
THE Gordon’s ability to prepare its students for employment has seen it recognised as Victoria’s best large training provider.
The Geelong TAFE received the top honour at the Victorian Training Awards, with one of its graduates recognised as the state’s vocational student of the year.
Conservation and land management graduate Louise Nicholas received $5000 in prize money and will represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra.
Ms Nicholas has used her diploma studies at The Gordon to begin the next phase of her career at Melbourne Water, where she has already secured a promotion.
The keen bushwalker and camper decided to enrol after wanting to branch out of the white-collar sector and work outdoors.
“I fell into office work when I left high school, but I always felt like there was something more meaningful I could do with my day to day job,” Ms Nicholas said.
Chisholm Institute CEO Maria Peters received the Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement for her outstanding leadership.
Other winners include GOTAFE’s Jeremy Connell, who was named apprentice of the year and Longerenong College’s Dustin Cross, who was named trainee of the year.
Training and Skills Minister Gayle Tierney said the 63rd annual awards honoured the outstanding achievements of apprentices, students, teachers and businesses.
“The awards are continuing to put Victoria’s top achievers in the spotlight and show we are leading the way in delivering high quality training.”