7 September 2024

Felix Ellis, Minister for Skills and Training

The 2024 Tasmanian Training Awards last night celebrated outstanding performers in vocational education in Launceston.

This year, 13 students, teachers and organisations were named as category winners from more than 49 finalists.

Minister for Skills and Training, Felix Ellis, said the winners of this year’s awards represented what is great about vocational education and training (VET).

“The winners and finalists in this year’s Awards are truly inspiring, including individuals, trainers and businesses in roles and industries that support our community and build our economy,” Minister Ellis said.

“This is one of the great things about VET as a career pathway – there are hundreds of different options for people to choose, from trades to healthcare to hospitality.

“I extend my congratulations to the winners, including our 2024 Tasmanian Apprentice of the Year, Benjamin Barker from Hobart, who studied Heavy Vehicle Mechanical Technology with TasTAFE.

“20-year-old Ben has taken on a leadership role at Veolia Environmental Services, being inspired to excel after spending time fixing cars with his grandfather.”

The Tasmanian Government is ensuring more young Tasmanians can take up VET with the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future turbocharging VET in our schools and colleges, and establishing a $30 million VET Facilities Fund for new and upgraded VET facilities around the state.

Award winners in 10 categories will have the opportunity to represent Tasmania at the Australian Training Awards in Canberra on 6 December 2024.

*The full list of winners follows.

Winners of 2024 Tasmanian Training Awards

Category

Name

Qualification/ Training Provider 
School/College, Employer

Location

Apprentice of the Year*

Benjamin Barker

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

TasTAFE 
Veolia Environmental Services

South

Trainee of the Year*

Imogen Tyers

Certificate III in Business

Work & Training 
Keen Partners hosted by Seasonal South

North West

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year*

Harley Mansell

Certificate III in Guiding

TasTAFE 
wukalina Walk

South

School-based Apprentice of the Year*

Aleira Chalker

Certificate IV in Business

Scala The Training Company 
Hobart City High School Big Picture Legislative Council

South

Vocational Student of the Year*

Andrew Bartlett

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Avidity Training and Development Possibility

North West

VET in Schools Student of the Year*

Connor Maguire

Certificate II in Tourism

Department for Education, Children and Young People at Elizabeth College

South

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year*

Renee Hinds

Department for Education, Children and Young People at Don College

North West

Equity Apprentice/Trainee of the Year*

Ryan Frosi

Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

TasTAFE 
Vokes Mechanical and Engineering

King Island

Equity Vocational Student of the Year

Jennie Garland

Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

Avidity Training and Development 
Possibility

North West

Business winners

Industry Collaboration Award

Bethlehem House - Civil Job Start, Hobart

Small Employer of the Year

Howrah Plumbing, Hobart

Large Employer of the Year

Nexus Inc, Dowsing Point

Small Training Provider of the Year

Athena Training Academy, Hobart

*nationally aligned categories