Alicia Farr - 2024 School based apprentice or trainee of the year
Celebrating the 70th Victorian Training Awards
Winners of the 70th Victorian Training Awards, which recognise excellence across the state’s vocational education and training sector, were announced at a special gala event on Friday 30 August 2024.
Congratulations to 2024 Victorian Training Awards winner, Alicia Farr, for taking the crown for the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award category and to finalists
Milana Best of Skillinvest Limited (Certificate III in Business) and Dean Xiberras, NECA Education and Careers (Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician).
The event celebrated the outstanding achievement and incredible talent of Victoria’s vocational training sector with a wealth of students, apprentices, trainees, trainers, training providers, employers and industry representatives from across our region were recognised.
Minister for Skills and TAFE, Gayle Tierney announced the winners, acknowledging the outstanding achievement of students and the awards were presented to students who are undertaking a Certificate II or above qualification as a part-time Victorian school-based apprentice or trainee. This ceremony recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school, and in the workplace.
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Victorian Training Awards – each one of you is contributing to making our world-class TAFE and training system stronger, better and accessible to all Victorians… Looking back on the history of these awards, we can see how far we have come in creating a high-quality vocational education sector in Victoria – and we will continue to adapt, evolve and improve so that Victorians can train for the jobs of the future” - Minister for Skills and TAFE, Gayle Tierney.
Meet Alicia Farr
School-based apprenticeship student Alicia, plunged into teaching young children water safety techniques. She recently completed a Certificate III in Aquatics and Community Recreation through Leisure Employment Australia and Chisholm Institute.
The course was Alicia’s opportunity to challenge herself and achieve personal growth. Initially, she was overwhelmed by the volume of work for school - and the traineeship. She rallied, and spurred by a strong work ethic, Alicia created a schedule that allowed her to complete everything while developing strong leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Alicia created a learning atmosphere that was engaging and reminiscent of the positive experiences she had as a child doing swimming lessons. She relished the opportunity of contributing in this way to her community. She also volunteers at an animal shelter and ultimately hopes to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and become a veterinarian.
Head to the Department of Education website to learn more about on the
School-based Apprentice or Trainee finalists.
Meet our other finalists
Milana Best
Skillinvest Limited, Certificate III in Business
The breadth of experience Milana has achieved working at a police station has set her on a path to competently tackle any business career. After enrolling in the Certificate III in Business at Skillinvest, she undertook a traineeship in the Victoria Police school-based program designed to engage Aboriginal students. Milana became a great asset to the police station by being a dedicated and determined team member.
Initially the role was overwhelming because of the volume of information and tasks she had to learn such as understanding new software systems. By using her initiative, asking questions, and taking detailed notes, she overcame challenges.
The operations of a police station are no longer a mystery to Milana and working with community liaison officers was a valuable experience that opened her eyes to the importance of police work. The traineeship has given her the confidence and determination to succeed and has allowed her to consider police work as a career.
Dean Xiberras
NECA Education and Careers, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Growing up, Dean found fascination and enjoyment dismantling remote-control toys, and electronic components including motors and circuitry. So, it was no surprise that he chose a school-based apprenticeship with an electrical and data company and enrolled in a Certificate III in Electrotechnology at NECA.
For Dean, an electrical career felt the most natural and interesting with plenty of potential for job growth. From day 1 of work experience he was hooked - running data cables around the office building. He learnt to adapt to a constantly changing work environment, and learning many new electrical terms and processes, he soon adapted and became an invaluable help to his team.
Dean’s time studying helped him improve his school performance and self-confidence and allowed him to build positive relationships with peers. It also inspired him to set higher standards and goals - he now plans to pursue a Certificate IV in electrotechnology and explore every avenue of the electrical industry.