With all of the State and Territory Training Awards now completed, the countdown is now on for the Australian Training Awards for 2005. Each of the States and Territories have selected and announced their finalists in four student categories and six organisational categories relating to vocational education and training. Finalists will now compete for the Australian Title in each category which will be announced on 17 November at a gala dinner at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre.
The student categories are:
- New Apprentice (Apprentice) of the Year;
- New Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year;
- Vocational Student of the Year; and
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
The organisational categories are:
- Australian Training Initiative Award;
- Employer of the Year Award;
- Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year Award;
- Large Training Provider of the Year;
- Small Training Provider of the Year; and
- VET in Schools Excellence Award.
Over the next four editions, Australian Training Fast Facts will provide you with information on each of the finalists in the ten categories for the Australian Training Awards.
For more information on the Australian National Training Awards, including information on ticket reservations for the Australian Training Awards dinner, visit www.dest.gov.au
Rehabilitation professionals have the opportunity to develop and update essential knowledge for achieving best practice rehabilitation outcomes, including vocational education and training pathways, at the 2005 Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors National Conference “Work and Wellness – Everybody Wins”. The event is being held at the Hilton on the Park – East Melbourne from 13th to 14th October. Visit
http://www.asorc.org.au/ 
for more information.
VET professionals will have the opportunity to develop and explore new capabilities to respond to an industry-led, demand driven VET system which meets the needs of enterprises, individuals and communities at a two day Forum in November. “New Ways of Working in VET – Forum 2” will be facilitated by Reframing the Future at the Adelaide Hilton on Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th November.
Early bird registrations close on 26 September 2005. Visit
http://reframiningthefuture.net/ to download an information flyer and registration form. For more information, contact the Forum organiser, Liz Blackmore, on 08 8207 9655 or email her at
Elizabeth.blackmore@tafesa.edu.au During August and September Minister Hardgrave announced a further four Australian Technical Colleges in the Hunter, Northern Tasmania, Perth South and Western Sydney regions. The successful applicants are as follows:
- Hunter - the Diocese of Maitland/Newcastle and the Hunter Valley Training Company;
- Northern Tasmania – the Tasmanian Consortium led by St Patrick’s College;
- Perth South - Stirling Skills Incorporated including the Cities of Gosnells and Armadale and the Armadale Redevelopment Authority; and
- Western Sydney – the Catholic Education Office utilising schools within the Parramatta Diocesan system.
These announcements bring the total of Australian Technical Colleges that have been given the green light to 17 across 16 regions. For further information on Australian Technical Colleges visit
http://www.australiantechnicalcolleges.gov.au/ This edition of Australian Training Fast Facts is also available in
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