Showcasing Top Talent in Tasmania’s Vocational Education and Training Sector

Excellence in Tasmania’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector was on show with 15 apprentices and trainees recognised at Work & Training’s Awards and Graduation on Friday (22 November).

Established over 32 years ago, Work & Training (part of the IntoWork Group) is a not-for-profit business that is now the largest employer of trainees and apprentices in the state, as well as one of the largest private providers of training in Tasmania.

A total of 15 awards were presented including the prestigious Apprentice of the Year and Trainee of the Year, and  the Jack Kelleher Perpetual Trophy for Emerging Potential.
Indie Douglas received the Apprentice of the Year Award. Indie completed a Certificate III in Landscape Construction with Loci Landscapes. She enjoys collaborating on projects and continually learning new skills. With a special interest in stonework, Indie has creatively crafted bird baths from sandstone and aspires to become
Australia’s top landscaper.

Luke Sherrin, who previously won the 2023 Second Year Apprentice award, continued to excel with this year’s Third Year Apprentice award. Luke is currently pursuing a Certificate III in Electrotechnology with host employer TasPorts. With a deep interest in technology, Luke enjoys the diversity of his apprenticeship, working in domestic, commercial and industrial settings, and developing a strong understanding of the industry.

Jacob Barrett was honoured with both the Business/Retail/Hospitality Services Student of the Year and Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Training Student of the Year awards. Jacob, who completed his traineeship with RANT Arts, is passionate about Tasmania’s arts and cultural sector. He believes that arts and culture enriches regional Tasmania and positively impacts the lives of many young Tasmanians through participation in community arts, theatre, music, writing and through the dedicated efforts of arts workers.

Hadi Rezaie, originally from Isfahan, Iran, won the Equity Student/Trainee of the Year award. Hadi’s journey began with his long-held ambition to excel in dentistry. Despite facing initial challenges, including a language barrier, his determination led him to graduate from Guilford Young College and complete a Certificate III in Dental Assisting through Work & Training. His traineeship at Oral Health Service Tasmania provided him with invaluable skills and hands-on experience. His dedication was also recognised at the Tasmanian Training Awards this year,
where he won the Lance Barnard Memorial Award for excellence. Now a VET ambassador, Hadi continues to advocate for vocational pathways and aspires to further his education in dentistry.

Work & Training acting CEO Rodney Hayden said the winner’s stories demonstrated the diversity of vocational education pathways, “Congratulations to all our apprentices and trainees who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen field. Their achievements are a testament to their hard work, and the opportunities vocational pathways can open up to everyone. This is the future of Tasmania’s workforce and it is clearly in good hands.”

Work & Training 2024 Award Winners
Apprentice of the Year – Indie Douglas, Certificate III in Construction Landscape, Loci Landscapes Pty Ltd
Runner-Up Apprentice of the Year – Kade Roberts, Certificate III in Carpentry, Benik Building
Trainee of the Year – Faith Chapman, Certificate III in Business, Clifford Craig Foundation
Runner-Up Trainee of the Year – Eliza Revell, Certificate III in Business, Degree C Pty Ltd
First Year Apprentice of the Year – Chloe Morgan, Certificate III in Printing, Print Mail Logistics Limited
Second Year Apprentice of the Year – Zoe Appleby, Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology, LMG
Hobart Dealership – Mazda
Third Year Apprentice of the Year – Luke Sherrin, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, TasPorts Burnie
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Lily Nibbs, Certificate IV in Ageing Support, Emmerton
Park Aged Care Facility
Business & Service Industries Student of the Year – Jacob Barrett, Certificate III in Business, RANT Arts
School Based Student of the Year – Freya Pickrill, Certificate II in Workplace Skills, The Hair Parlour
Equity Student/Trainee of the Year – Hadi Rezaie, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, THS – Oral Health Services
New Town
RTO Training Student of the Year – Jacob Barrett, Certificate III in Business, RANT Arts
Pre-Vocational Student of the Year – Alyshia Arnold, Certificate III in Individual Support – Disability
Community Services Student of the Year – Tim Clarke, Diploma of Community Services, Catholic Care Tasmania
Jack Kelleher Perpetual Trophy for Emerging Potential – Mae Langridge, Certificate in Individual Support –
Disability