Victoria has cemented its reputation as a national leader in vocational education and training (VET), securing seven honours at the 2025 Australian Training Awards in Darwin on Friday night.
Federal Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles praised the winners from the outset, saying they were “great ambassadors for Australia’s world-leading vocational education and training sector”. He added that VET remained “the engine room delivering the skilled workforce our communities need and rely on every day”.
Among Victoria’s standout achievements was student Shirley Darcy, who was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for her work empowering First Nations learners through The Gordon Institute. When the institute launched a First Nations pilot of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, Darcy “jumped at the chance”. The program, she said, was life-changing and has since led her into a career supporting the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through accessible and inclusive learning environments.
Victoria’s largest VET provider, Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute, also took out Large Training Provider of the Year (Gold). With more than 150 years’ combined experience across nine campuses and over 450 industry partnerships, the institute was recognised for shaping a job-ready workforce for emerging industries. Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE Gayle Tierney said the win demonstrated “the strength, passion and innovation that define our state’s training system”.
In the VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year category, Tarmi A’Vard was named runner-up. After two decades in the justice sector and a stint as a criminology lecturer, A’Vard now delivers VET programs at Bendigo TAFE using trauma-informed methods, simulations and flipped classrooms to prepare students for careers in justice and community services.
The Civil Contractors Federation Victoria secured Small Training Provider of the Year (Silver) for delivering high-quality, industry-aligned programs that support Victoria’s growing civil construction workforce. Meanwhile, HYDAC earned Silver in the Australian Apprenticeships Employer category for its innovative apprenticeship program, delivered in partnership with AI Group Training.
Regional operator V/Line Corporation picked up Large Employer of the Year (Bronze) for providing equitable and inclusive staff training to support Victoria’s expanding rail infrastructure network.
Rounding out Victoria’s success, the Geelong Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) Program received Bronze in the Industry Collaboration Award for its work embedding employment pathways in major projects such as the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.
Minister Giles highlighted the Albanese Government’s commitment to strengthening the VET sector, noting its $12.6 billion contribution through the National Skills Agreement and the strong uptake of Free TAFE, which recently surpassed 725,000 enrolments.
Minister Tierney said Victoria was proud to champion high-quality training because “it gives Victorians the skills and support they need to get into meaningful, well-paid jobs”.
Victorian winners will now continue as ambassadors for the VET sector, joining national finalists from across Australia.
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