Photo: news.com.au

Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney today announced the 39 finalists for the Victorian Training Awards, which have been selected across 13 categories – including awards for individuals, employers, industry collaboration, Learn Locals and training providers.

Now in their 64th year, the Victorian Training Awards celebrate excellence in the training system, with apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training providers taking centre stage at a gala awards night on Friday 24 August.

TAFE nominations dominate three categories including Large Training Provider of the Year, Industry Collaboration Award and the new Inclusive Training Provider of the Year Award category, which recognises Victorian training providers with an outstanding record delivering training to students with a disability.

Regional Victorians also dominated, with almost one-third of finalists located across Victoria from areas such as Ararat, Geelong, Ballarat, Brandy Creek, Wallan and West Wodonga.

Finalists include Box Hill Institute, Holmesglen Institute, The Gordon, Melbourne Polytechnic, Wodonga Institute of TAFE and Victoria University Polytechnic.

Victorian Training Award winners from eligible categories will go on to represent the state in the Australian Training Awards in Sydney on Thursday 15 November.

To make it easier to access training, the Andrews Labor Government is investing $172 million to make 30 priority TAFE courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses that lead to jobs that are most in demand from Victorian employers tuition free.

The Victorian Budget 2018/19 is investing an additional $644 million to strengthen TAFE, address skills shortages and ensure all Victorians can access the training they need to get a good job.

A full list of finalists can be found education.vic.gov.au.