NSW Training Awards: VET is genuine pathway to gain recognition for a job

DEPUTY NSW Premier John Barilaro says the state has paid the price for treating Vocational Education and Training as a “second chance pathway” in years gone by.

Megan Riley originally planned to go to art school but then changed her mind and is now an automotive refinishing technician at Pymble Accident Repair Centre. Picture: Bob Barker.

DEPUTY NSW Premier John Barilaro says the state has paid the price for treating Vocational Education and Training as a “second chance pathway” in years gone by.

Mr Barilaro is adamant an emphasis needs to be placed on VET being a genuine and reliable way to get kids qualified and ready to make a contribution to the workforce.

The Skills Minister is pointing to the NSW Training Awards as an example of how the benefits of VET can be reinforced through success stories.

He is urging both individuals and organisations to get their nominations in by March 17.

“What the awards have done in the past is really shown the stars of Vocational Education and Training,” he said.

“They’ve become ambassadors, in a way, to showcase VET as a pathway and that’s what’s been fantastic about the training awards.”

>> ENTER THE AWARDS HERE

Megan Riley sprays a car body at the accident repair centre

Mr Barilaro said the awards showed young people “that VET is a genuine pathway to gain recognition for a job”.

He pointed to the fact school guidance counsellors, parents and the wider community were once too focused on steering kids towards university.

“You’ve got leaders, advisers and then parents at home telling kids that if they want a really good job, their only option is university,” Mr Barilaro said.

“The second part of that is that VET has always been tagged as the ‘second chance’ pathway.

“So in one way, you’re saying to kids that if you don’t cut it, off to TAFE you go. And I think we have paid the price for that.”

The Deputy Premier said VET played a crucial role in preparing students to enter working life.

“What we need to do is integrate in the school system very early — Year 10, 11 and 12 — those VET pathways early, as part of their HSC, as part of their final years of school … and start them on their path to a genuine qualification earlier rather than later,” he said.

“That way, when they leave school, they’re job-ready.”

The training awards, he says, are a way of demonstrating to students that VET is a legitimate pathway that delivers results.

“What these awards do is showcase the individuals — they’re smart, they’re technical,” he said.

“And they’re being recognised for their excellence.”

Among those who have enjoyed success at the Training Awards is 23-year-old Megan Riley, a 2016 finalist for Apprentice of the Year.

Ms Riley has obtained a Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology.

“If you do an apprenticeship and study at TAFE you get to earn, learn and have a job at the end of your studies — you’re not dropped in the deep end like university students,” she said.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The annual NSW Training Awards event is the premier skills celebration in NSW. The prestigious awards recognise and reward excellence and outstanding achievement in vocational education and training (VET).

Hosted by Training Services NSW, a branch of the Department of Industry, the NSW Training Awards celebrate the diversity of homegrown talent and skill in the VET sector, across disciplines including automotive, construction, engineering, financial services, healthcare, IT, sport and tourism.

More than 900 entries are received each year, and many of NSW’s most influential business, government and community leaders join together at the celebration event to acknowledge extraordinary success in skilling the workforce. This makes the NSW Training Awards the most prestigious program for the training sector in the state.

The NSW Training Awards are preceded by 10 regional award events which culminate at the State awards in September. The Award categories recognise students, schools, training providers and employers. In addition, there are several special industry-based achievement awards.

Key facts

• Over 500 guests attend the state awards event, including NSW Government Ministers such as the Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Skills and Minister for Small Business and their associates

• It’s been the premier NSW Government event since 1955, and receives over 900 applications each year.

• We’ve received (and awarded) applications from some of the most successful organisations in the state, including Lend Lease, Energy Australia, Westpac, Telstra, McDonald’s, KFC and the Royal Australian Air Force.

Originally published as NSW Training Awards: VET is genuine pathway to gain recognition for a job