Photo: abc.net.au

Victoria was one of the best performing states, taking home five awards including Australian Large Employer of the Year which went to Metro Trains.

Proud Aboriginal man Indi Clarke from the Muthi Muthi and Lardil people – who studied at SuniTAFE in Mildura – was named Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

Denise Stevens, former CEO of the VET Development Centre, picked up a National Achievement Award.

WPC Group won Australian Apprenticeships – Employer Award, while vet nurse Jennifer Peart, who studied at the Gordon Institute of TAFE, was runner up Australian Vocational Student of the Year.

Victoria’s efforts on the national stage have cemented our reputation as a leader when it comes to skills training in Australia, with our TAFEs, community providers and high quality private training providers changing lives for the better.

Over the last two years, the Labor Government has invested heavily in TAFE and training to restore confidence to the training system.

From January 2017, Skills First will be rolled out, delivering on the things that matter most to people – a stable training system that industry and students can have confidence in.