Winners and finalists

Anthony Di Cristofaro

Certificate III in Carpentry and Joinery

Trained at North Metropolitan TAFE

Employed by Directions Workforce Solutions

Prior to starting a mature age apprenticeship, Anthony worked in the mining industry for 10 years. Committed to learning and excelling in his trade, he exhibits genuine care for his co-workers safety and mental health, mentoring younger apprentices and completing the Mates in Construction Connector course. Anthony believes in the importance of training to produce quality skilled workers that are resilient and confident in their abilities.

Rekeisha Voss

Certificate III in Government

Trained at Aspire Performance Training

Employed by Department of Training and Workforce Development

Rekeisha started her career in beauty therapy and hospitality, however felt the need to try something new and applied for a traineeship. Working as a trainee service desk officer has taught her many things about the behind the scenes world of ICT. With a passion for learning new skills, Rekeisha wants to break negative perceptions and shine a spotlight on positive work outcomes for Indigenous people.

Elena Smirnova

Certificate IV in EAL (Further Study)

Trained at South Metropolitan TAFE

Books and libraries provide a constant source of inspiration for Elena. She loves reading and literature but also the community that libraries create. It was this inspiration that motivated her to study English after arriving in WA. Her goal is to become ‘a warrior of the light’ - a Russian expression to describe someone who is educated and, through further training, fulfil her career in library services.

Dushica Poposki

Diploma of Nursing

Trained at North Metropolitan TAFE

Employed as a nurse in Macedonia, a chance experience as an outpatient while visiting Perth inspired Dushica to relocate and train in WA. Starting in aged care, she continually challenged herself and trained to work with patients with acquired brain injury. A job promotion gave her the final push to train as an enrolled nurse where she enjoys providing the best nursing care to the community.

Matthew King

Trains in Electrotechnology

Employed by Swan Trade Training Centre

Prior to becoming a trainer, Matthew was an electrician and still runs his own business. With a passion for working with young people, he believes through great teaching you can shape the next generation. As a mentor he provides inspirational learning experiences whilst remaining relevant to industry. Matthew was responsible for establishing the only school-based pre-apprenticeship electrical course, run by in-house staff in WA.

Matt was also runner up in the 2019 VET Teacher/Trainer award category at the Austrlalian Training Awards.

Eden Corporation Pty Ltd T/As McDonald's Karratha

Since opening its doors in September 1997, McDonald’s Karratha struggled with crew retention and filling managerial positions as employees moved to higher paid positions in the mining sector. In 2016 it decided to bring back WA Apprenticeships with just 2 Apprentices. Since then, 41 employees have passed through the system. The operation now has 80 staff and a remarkably low staff turnover rate.

Barminco

Barminco is one of the world’s largest hard-rock underground mining services providers employing 3,500 employees world-wide. Founded in 1989, the WA based company has 30 years’ experience in delivering hard-rock underground mining services both domestically and internationally. Its Barminco Leaders Program (BLP) has 102 employees enrolled, of which 24 have graduated with a BSB42015 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.

Barminco also won the 2019 Large Employer of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.

The Electrical Industry Female Participation Program (EIFPP)

EIFPP, led by the College of Electrical Training, partners with secondary schools, NECA WA and local employers to improve course accessibility and reduce barriers for female school students obtaining an apprenticeship. The program provides a structured career pathway into the electrical industry, promotes the electrical industry as ‘gender neutral’ and delivers a training experience aimed at giving students the best possible chance of employment.

Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services

Since 1983, KAMS has been committed to providing high quality VET training in the Kimberley region. Established to offer a local study option for Aboriginal Health Work without having to relocate to Perth, courses offer flexibility and practical, supervised experience for Aboriginal Health Care Workers providing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

North Regional TAFE

North Regional TAFE is the largest provider of training and vocational services in the north of WA, servicing industries and communities across the region. With a total of 11 campuses and the College’s three largest delivery centres at Broome, Karratha and Pundulmurra in South Hedland, in 2018, it delivered more than 190 nationally recognised and industry-endorsed qualifications to over 7,300 students.

• Anthony Di Cristofaro
• Mark Halden
• Ben Lovering
• Jesse Maiorana

(Pictured left to right)

• Tahleisha Bennell-Mustica
• Benita Brown
• Rekeisha Voss
• Jodie Wyatt

(Pictured left to right)

• Dion Emin
• Tiffany Heelan
• Eleesha Spargo

(Pictured left to right)

• Sally Farr
• Rebecca Lee Hudson
• Alexandra Mell
• Kaitlyn Frances O’Connell

WA Vocational Student of the Year 2019

• Chloe Baigent
• Angela Hill
• Kim Logue
• Lauren Shields

(Pictured left to right)

• Jiamin Li
• Bronwyn McKane
• Bukonla Abolanle Olayeni
• Elena Smirnova

(Pictured left to right)

• Vitor Cerqueira Marques
• Martin Gillies
• Dushica Poposki
• Paula Ximena Roa Ayala

(Pictured left to right)

• Matthew King
• Nathan McMurdo
• Vicki Thompson
• Sharyn Trent

• The Electrical Industry Female Participation Program

• National Energy Technicians Training Scheme

• Eden Corporation Pty Ltd T/As McDonald`s Karratha
• Ranger Exploration Drilling

• AFGRI Equipment Australia
• Barminco

• Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services
• Marr Mooditj Training
• Royal Life Saving WA

• North Regional TAFE
• South Metropolitan TAFE
• Central Regional TAFE