Winners and finalists

Sponsored by the Training Accreditation Council WA

Stephen Delaney

• Trains in Painting and Decorating and Painters' Licensing

• Employed by MPA Skills

For 20 years, Stephen has delivered training to his students with a pastoral and holistic approach. He readily participates in training to upskill, as well as adapting and improving his teaching style to navigate modern-day challenges.

At MPA Skills Painting and Plumbing, Stephen's passion is training pre-apprentices which he says is "challenging and rewarding" but where he can make the biggest impact. 

He is also a professional artist and is studying a Diploma in Art Therapy, to further support at-risk students.

Yu-Chien (Eva) Cho

• Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management

• South Metropolitan TAFE

• Employed by Lot 20

It was the interactive learning environment in the training restaurant at South Metropolitan TAFE that captured Eva's attention and cemented her decision to study a Diploma of Hospitality Management.

Eva's career pathway started in Taiwan, but since moving to Perth, she has completed a Diploma and is now studying towards the Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management.

Eva says her oral and written communication skills have improved immensely and she has gained an appreciation of working with students from other cultures.

Sponsored by Construction Training Fund

Feng Yang

• Certificate III Commercial Cookery

• South Metropolitan TAFE

• Employed by The University Club of Western Australia

A birthday wish from Feng's daughter for better lunches to take to school changed Feng's life, and began his journey into a new and exciting career. After moving to Australia from China and wanting to make his daughter proud while learning more about nutrition, Feng enrolled in a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery at South Metropolitan TAFE.

Aside from mastering different cuisines, Feng's communication skills have improved, his daughter's lunch box is the most popular at school and Feng is working towards his goal of becoming a chef.

Sponsored by Maxima

Winner – Australian Training Awards 2022

Wayne Ryder 

• Diploma of Leadership and Management

• Australian Institute of Management WA

• Employed by Palmerston Association

From school captain to captain of his football team, Wayne has paved the way for Aboriginal men walking a similar journey. One of his proudest achievements was creating the Waakal Moort Kaadadjiny Festival, a health and well-being festival for at-risk Aboriginal people.

Wayne began working for Palmerston Association as a Community Aboriginal Worker, supporting individuals affected by drugs and alcohol following his lived experience. He later won a scholarship to study a Diploma of Leadership and Management with the Australian Institute of Management.

Runner up – Australian Training Awards 2022

Caitlin Bezuidenhout

• Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies

• Eastern Hills Senior High School

• Health Science Hub

Inspired after visiting her nanna at an aged-care facility, nine-year-old Caitlin was determined to make a positive change in the industry.

Still at school, Caitlin is completing her Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing studies through Health Science Hub and her Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) through Australian Medical Association WA.

Through her work placement with Baptistcare, Caitlin has been able to gain hands-on experience and is passionate about creating positive energy in her workplace.

Winner – Australian Training Awards 2022

Brittany-Leigh Wragg

• Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways

• South Metropolitan TAFE

• Employed by Programmed Training Services (hosted by CIVMEC)

Being one of the first students to study a Certificate III in Defence Industry Pathways Program, Brittany cites the unwavering support from the team at South Metropolitan TAFE and Programmed Training Services that helped her feel confident about her chosen career pathway in a male-dominated industry.

Brittany-Leigh has sampled different job roles while undertaking work placement rotations and gained real-life experience, all while building up a network of industry contacts. She hopes to begin an apprenticeship in defence on completion of her traineeship.

Sponsored by the Electrical and Communications Association WA

Sophia Pitaro

• Certificate III in Sports and Recreation

• Applecross Senior High School

• North Metropolitan TAFE

• Employed by BlueFit (Leisure Employment Australia)

Driven to gain as much experience as she can while attending high school, Sophia has already completed Certificates in Events Management, Tourism and Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.
Now embarking on a traineeship through North Metropolitan TAFE, Sophia is completing a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation and has completed qualifications including her First Aid, Lifeguard and CPR Certificates while gaining on-the-job experience with BlueFit - Belmont Oasis Leisure Centre.

Sponsored by Apprenticeship Support Australia, powered by CCI WA

Megan Hazelden

• Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade (Mechanical Fitter ZA)

• South Metropolitan TAFE

• Employed by Alcoa

Growing up on a farm watching her parents work on machinery, Megan knew she wanted to become a mechanic.

Now completing a Certificate III in Engineering, she is well on her way to reaching her goal of becoming a Mechanical Fitter at Wagerup Refinery.

Throughout her apprenticeship, Megan has had the opportunity to represent women in the industry, presenting at schools and student career nights about career opportunities.

Winning South Metropolitan TAFE's Apprentice of the Year 2021 gave her the confidence to encourage women to apply for an apprenticeship in mechanical fitting.

Matera Electrical

Starting with just four staff, Matera Electrical has grown to over 90 employees, aiming for excellence in safety standards and high-quality work within the construction and oil and gas industries.

With roughly 80 per cent of employees actively engaged in training, and spending on average 200 hours per month in training, the company is committed to a team-focused approach, fostering positive change and prioritising communication and training to ensure staff are fully engaged and equipped for superior results.

Bronze – Australian Training Awards 2022

Byrnecut

Byrnecut is one of the world's leading underground contract miners with over 3,800 employees. Byrnecut's training programs undergo continuous improvement, with input from experienced operators and management to ensure quality learning opportunities.

With 21 per cent of employees undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship within WA, Byrnecut are committed to world-class training and development, individualised learning plans, unlimited support and access to thousands of resources and networks to set employees up for successful, long-term careers with the company.

Bronze – Australian Training Awards 2022

Making Tracks (Department of Justice)

Making Tracks is a collaborative industry training and employment network of partnerships for prisoners across WA to ensure VET delivery within prisons is relevant and appropriate to the needs of both the prisoners engaged in training and the businesses that go on to employ them.

Through collaboration with employers in key industries, the program reduces the stigma ex-prisoners face when seeking employment, while meeting the needs of the labour market, contributing to the economy and reducing reoffending.

Bronze – Australian Training Awards 2022

Taylorweir International School of Hairdressing

Taylorweir International School of Hairdressing (Taylorweir) is the longest established private hairdressing RTO in WA. The training delivery focuses on a client-driven approach, ensuring that students achieve their best outcomes with support from their employers and the outstanding teaching skills of the organisation's trainers.

With over 480 enrolled students, Taylorweir's 25-year journey continues to be one of learning, growth and change which has allowed it to maintain its position as the leader of hairdressing and barbering education in Australia.

South Metropolitan TAFE

South Metropolitan TAFE is one of WA's most diverse training providers. The college offers more than 340 qualifications, from foundation courses to apprenticeships and traineeships, to advanced diplomas and skill sets. The college is dedicated to working collaboratively with industry, ensuring their partnerships support economic and community development.

With 12 campuses throughout the southern corridor, including major campuses in Bentley, Carlisle, Fremantle, Murdoch, Rockingham, Thornlie and Mandurah, South Metropolitan TAFE has more than 28,000 students across their Perth campuses, as well as offshore students in a number of countries.

Winner - Australian Training Awards 2022

WA Department of Justice

Congratulations to WA Department of Justice, who have been selected as direct-entry finalists for the 2022 Australian Training Awards Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award.

The Department of Justice WA is one of the first states to successfully implement traineeships within prisons. In WA, prisoners are employed by the prison and paid in gratuity as well as the provision of room, board, health and training services in lieu of wages. Prisoners are offered a wide range of traineeships and apprenticeships within WA prisons, in areas such as kitchens, textiles, laundry, gardens, cleaning and maintenance.

The Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award recognises those employers who have made innovative improvements in training which provide beneficial outcomes for their apprentices and/or trainees in Australia and to their local community.

Busselton Senior High School

Congratulations to Busselton Senior High School, who have been selected as direct-entry finalists for the 2022 Australian Training Awards School Pathways to VET Award.

Busselton Senior High School has a long history of delivering high quality VET programs with very strong links to the local community. The school is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) School with scope to issue qualifications in a range of industry areas including: Business, Engineering and Sport Coaching.

Busselton Senior High School won the 2018 VET in School Pathways at the National Awards, reflecting their unique VET model and the positive outcomes for students.

The School Pathways to VET Award recognises eligible organisations including schools, registered training organisations, group training organisations, industry bodies and employers that have collaboratively delivered one (or more) excellent VET programs to secondary school students.

Sponsored by the Training Accreditation Council

• Robert Carter
• Stephen Delaney
• Sharleen Jordan
• Tania O’Dea

(Pictured left to right)

• Yu-Chien Cho
• Sophie Giraud
• Lea Krebs

(Pictured left to right)

Sponsored by Construction Training Fund

• Thanh Cong Luu
• Dilrukshi Muthuthanthrige
• Feng Yang

(Pictured left to right)

Sponsored by Maxima

• Courtney Charles
• Jye Graham
• Lieshia Green
• Wayne Ryder

(Pictured left to right)

• Caitlin Bezuidenhout
• Corrie Ramsay
• Naomi Rigby
• Christopher Smithall

(Pictured left to right)

• Tenaya Ewings
• Zoe Gillard
• Emily Prickett
• Brittany-Leigh Wragg

(Pictured left to right)

Sponsored by the Electrical and Communications Association of Western Australia

• Isabella Amey
• Desiree Baxter
• Khesharna Lee
• Sophia Pitaro

(Pictured left to right)

Sponsored by Apprenticeship Support Australia, powered by CCIWA

• Josh Fraser
• Megan Hazelden
• Dylan Kent
• Jake Lee

(Pictured left to right)

• Consolidated Group
• Matera Electrical

(Pictured top to bottom)

• Byrnecut
• Electricity Generation and Retail Corporation (Synergy)

(Pictured top to bottom)

• Defence Industry Pathways Program (South Metropolitan TAFE)
• Making Tracks (Department of Justice)
• National Energy Technician Training Scheme (Programmed)

(Pictured top to bottom)

• Future Institute of Australia
• Taylorweir International School of Hairdressing
• WA College of Agriculture, Cunderdin

(Pictured top to bottom)

• Central Regional TAFE
• LabTech Training
• South Metropolitan TAFE

(Pictured top to bottom)

As a WA Training Awards winner or finalist, you’re an ambassador for vocational education and training in WA.

Your success in your training and through the WA Training Awards will be an inspiration for others to follow a VET pathway.

As a WA Training Awards winner, you may be invited to participate in activities, including but not limited to:

• photo and video shoots promoting your achievements;
• media opportunities (speaking with local press, radio and online journalists);
• panel discussions;
• WA training forums, national and state conferences;
• judging for your category;
• professional development days for award winners; and
• industry/VET sector events.

Should you also win your category at the Australian Training Awards, you’ll be invited to promote the sector on a national scale through a variety of additional activities.

By sharing your experiences, advice and knowledge, you can encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to consider how vocational education and training could benefit them and potentially change their lives. In addition, you may be able to inspire employers and training providers to review their training methods and continue to make improvements. All WA Training Award finalists and winners, both in the individual and organisation categories, have a story worth sharing. You never know who might be listening, how your story can inspire others, and how this could expand their horizons.