7 December 2025
Felix Ellis, Minister for Skills and Jobs
Tasmania continues to show it is a leader in vocational education and training (VET), taking home seven awards from the 2025 Australian Training Awards held in Darwin.
Winners and finalists were recognised for their outstanding achievements, with Joshua Fielding named Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year for completing a Certificate III in Carpentry while finishing Year 12.
Stella Quintero won the Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award for her work helping disadvantaged learners overcome barriers to education and employment.
And TasNetworks was announced Large Training Provider of the Year, recognised for its enterprise-scale training culture and commitment to equity and safety, with a purpose-built training centre and peer-led learning models.
The VET sector came together at the Darwin Convention Centre to recognise apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, practitioners, employers and training providers for the 31st year of Australia’s premier training awards.
The Tasmanian winners and finalists will join fellow finalists from across Australia to become ambassadors and role models for the national VET sector.
Tasmanian 2025 Australian Training Award recipients and winners:
Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year (Winner) – Joshua Fielding
Joshua has always loved building things. At 13, he started working as a builder’s labourer during the school holidays, and he’s now carving out his future as a school-based apprentice. By working as an apprentice carpenter on architectural construction projects, Joshua has absolutely nailed his building career.
Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Practice (Winner) – Stella Quintero
Stella is a passionate educator, dedicated to empowering learners through innovative and inclusive educational practices. She leads a team that delivers LLN training across Tasmania. Stella’s teaching philosophy is rooted in social justice, ensuring every student has equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.
And TasNetworks was announced Large Training Provider of the Year, recognised for its enterprise-scale training culture and commitment to equity and safety, with a purpose-built training centre and peer-led learning models.
The VET sector came together at the Darwin Convention Centre to recognise apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, practitioners, employers and training providers for the 31st year of Australia’s premier training awards.
The Tasmanian winners and finalists will join fellow finalists from across Australia to become ambassadors and role models for the national VET sector.
Tasmanian 2025 Australian Training Award recipients and winners:
Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year (Winner) – Joshua Fielding
Joshua has always loved building things. At 13, he started working as a builder’s labourer during the school holidays, and he’s now carving out his future as a school-based apprentice. By working as an apprentice carpenter on architectural construction projects, Joshua has absolutely nailed his building career.
Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) Practice (Winner) – Stella Quintero
Stella is a passionate educator, dedicated to empowering learners through innovative and inclusive educational practices. She leads a team that delivers LLN training across Tasmania. Stella’s teaching philosophy is rooted in social justice, ensuring every student has equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.
Large Training Provider of the Year (Gold) – TasNetworks
As custodian of Tasmania’s electricity network, TasNetworks is powering a bright future by putting training at the heart of its operations. From apprenticeships to leadership development, training is fully embedded in the enterprise RTO’s business planning. Through its innovative, peer-led delivery model, TasNetworks is turning emerging talent into long-term leaders.
Industry Collaboration (Gold) – Civil Job Ready Program
Co-designed by TasTAFE and the Civil Contractors Federation Tasmania, this pre-vocational training pathway is transforming lives by connecting job seekers, migrants, and career changers to meaningful work in Tasmania’s civil construction sector. Collaborative partnerships such as the Civil Job Ready Program show how VET can drive social and economic inclusion while addressing workforce needs.
School Pathways to VET (Gold) – Guilford Young College
Guilford Young College’s VET provision is extraordinary. It delivers skill pathways to its own Year 11 and 12 students and it also serves as the RTO for all Catholic colleges in Tasmania, offering an extensive range of VET to 1200 secondary and senior secondary students.
Apprentice of the Year (Runner Up) – Holly Frankcombe
Holly wanted a career that challenged her, stretched her capabilities, and allowed her to make a difference. The electrical supply industry had already sparked her interest, so she started a line worker apprenticeship with TasNetworks. As a multi-skilled tradesperson, she is paving the way for women in Tasmania’s energy industry.
Small Training Provider of the Year (Bronze) – SCALA the Training Company
Through its provision of innovative vocational education, SCALA is delivering real-world impact across Tasmania. From AI capability to boardroom leadership, SCALA custom-builds training to match industry needs, with impressive results. The RTO’s work-integrated programs have generated measurable improvements for employers, while learners gain confidence and purpose.
Apprentice of the Year (Runner Up) – Holly Frankcombe
Holly wanted a career that challenged her, stretched her capabilities, and allowed her to make a difference. The electrical supply industry had already sparked her interest, so she started a line worker apprenticeship with TasNetworks. As a multi-skilled tradesperson, she is paving the way for women in Tasmania’s energy industry.
Small Training Provider of the Year (Bronze) – SCALA the Training Company
Through its provision of innovative vocational education, SCALA is delivering real-world impact across Tasmania. From AI capability to boardroom leadership, SCALA custom-builds training to match industry needs, with impressive results. The RTO’s work-integrated programs have generated measurable improvements for employers, while learners gain confidence and purpose.
For more information on the 2025 Australian Training Awards and the winners visit the Australian Training Awards website.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“I congratulate the winners and finalists of the 2025 Australian Training Awards. They’re great ambassadors for Australia’s world-leading vocational education and training sector.
“VET is the engine room delivering the skilled workforce our communities need and rely on every day in sectors as diverse as nursing, construction, manufacturing, aged care and clean energy.
“The Albanese Government is committed to strengthening the VET sector, including through our contribution of $12.6 billion over five years under the National Skills Agreement, and working with the states and territories to deliver Free TAFE, which recently marked more than 725,000 enrolments nationally.”
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Skills and Jobs, Felix Ellis:
“Our Tasmanian winners and finalists have done us proud.
“I’ve always said you don’t need to go to university to have great opportunities in life, and our finalists tonight are a testament to the power of vocational education and training.
“VET is so critical to Tasmania’s future, whether for building our homes, caring for those in need, or creating experiences as part of our visitor economy.
“The Liberal Government is delivering for Tasmanians, with our Tasmanian Skills Plan ensuring learners and employers are at the centre of everything we do to create more jobs and grow the economy.”
Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Skills and Jobs, Felix Ellis:
“Our Tasmanian winners and finalists have done us proud.
“I’ve always said you don’t need to go to university to have great opportunities in life, and our finalists tonight are a testament to the power of vocational education and training.
“VET is so critical to Tasmania’s future, whether for building our homes, caring for those in need, or creating experiences as part of our visitor economy.
“The Liberal Government is delivering for Tasmanians, with our Tasmanian Skills Plan ensuring learners and employers are at the centre of everything we do to create more jobs and grow the economy.”