NT Training Awards finalists head to Hobart for national awards

Local apprentices, teachers and employers from the vocational education and training sector will go up against Australia’s best in the national awards. Read who is a finalist.

All the NT winners of the training awards are vying for the national gong at an awards ceremony in Hobart. Picture: Supplied

Seven individual Territorians and one organisation have travelled to Hobart to represent the NT at the 2023 Australian Training Awards.

The local finalists vying for national recognition were decided at the NT’s gala ceremony held in September, with the addition of one direct entrant.

Among the Territory hopefuls are students, apprentices, teachers and employers.

This year’s finalists come from a range of different vocational education and training fields, including information technology and beauty therapy.

Electrical apprentice Jack Higgins will be up for the Australian Apprentice of the Year, an award received by Territory talent Rory Milner in 2019.

Jack Higgins won the NT's apprentice of the year award in 2023. Picture: Supplied

Darwin-based training provider the Institute of Skills and Training Australia has also received recognition as a finalist in the small training provider of the year category.

With a certificate in laboratory skills, Porsche Cahill will be vying for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, while Allied Health Assistance student Lilly Bright will be hoping to take home the Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.

The direct entrant into the awards is Brendan Reid from Charles Darwin University, who is nominated for the Excellence in Language, Literature and Numeracy Practice award.

Also representing the Territory are Trainee of the Year Thanapat (Joe) Kellie, Vocational Student of the Year Loan Nguyen and VET teacher of the year Sharon Stewart.

Skills, Training and Education Minister Joel Bowden said the training sector was a valuable part of life in the Territory.

“Our Territory training finalists are leaders and role models to their peers and other Territorians and their stories will inspire others to consider a vocational education and training path,” he said.

“We are investing in programs that maximise job opportunities for Territorians while supporting business and industry to build the workforce they need.”

Mr Milner will be hosting a livestream of the event from 5.30-9.30pm on Friday night.