Ticket to Work young people win Applied Learning Awards

Students, teachers, schools, educators and employers were winners in the fifth year of the prestigious Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Applied Learning Awards, including some young people that have been undertaking Ticket to Work activities.

Opened by the Victorian Minister for Education, The Hon. Martin Dixon, the Applied Learning Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements and successes of all those involved in applied learning (sometimes known as practical or ‘hands-on’ learning).  This year’s Awards Ceremony saw over 400 attendees witness 38 Awards and 70 Nomination Certificates presented to secondary students, educators, employers, secondary schools and training organisations.

Three students who are part of Ticket to Work were the proud recipients of an Applied Learning Award.  Only 25 students won an Applied Learning Award from amongst a very worthy pool of 73 student nominees.  As one of the independent judges commented, “this has been the hardest adjudication we’ve ever done as there were so many outstanding students from a wide range of schools and industry areas, but unfortunately we couldn’t give Awards to all of these incredible young people”.

Thomas Stenhouse, a Ticket to Work trainee and student at Berendale School, won a ‘Horticulture School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) Award’.  Thomas was selected for this Award by judges who recognised his positive attitude, strong work ethic and appreciation for his horticulture training and on-the-job employment.  In Thomas’s nomination for this Award he said that “hopes that one day he will have his own landscaping company” and “has learned if you enjoy your job you don’t want to miss a day!”  Thomas was also acknowledge for performing well as part of his Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) and for his volunteering at a local school and aged care facility.  Thomas’s Award was sponsored by the City of Kingston.

Jayden Bell, a Ticket to Work trainee and student at Montague Continuing Education Centre, won a ‘Hospitality SBAT Award’.  Jayden is undertaking his Commercial Cookery SBAT with a well known Melbourne restaurant and was recommended for an Award by his employer, teachers and trainer; with all commending Jayden on his self-determination, commitment to extending himself and his enthusiastic attitude to his hospitality SBAT.  Jayden has identified that a commercial kitchen career is for him, and his outstanding performance has led to him being offered a full-time chefs apprenticeship at the end of this year. Jayden’s Award was sponsored by the Bayside City Council.

Casey Robinson, a Ticket to Work participant and student from Berendale School, won a ‘Certificate I in Hospitality Award’.  Casey is in her final years of secondary school and starting to prepare for her future life by undertaking vocational training in hospitality, participating in work experience and gaining a better understanding about the hospitality industry.  Casey was Awarded by judges who learned about her very positive attitude, ability to handle high-pressure kitchen situations, her desire to learn as many front and back-of-house skills as possible and leadership as School Vice Captain.  Casey is very passionate about the hospitality and said that “one day I hope to be a chef”. Casey’s Award was sponsored by Chisholm.

A number of other students connected to the Ticket to Work program were also nominated for an Applied Learning Award.  All of these students were congratulated for being recommended as contenders for a prestigious Award in 2013.  These students were: Jack Anderson, who was nominated for a ‘VCAL Personal Development Award’; Andrew Fisher, who was nominated for a ‘Certificate II in Active Volunteering Award’; Chris Gaud, who was nominated for a ‘VCAL Personal Development Award’; and,  Jonathon Martello; who was nominated for a ‘Horticulture SBAT Award’.

The Applied Learning Awards celebrate and promote building a community where all education pathways are equally valued.

The Award nominations were independently adjudicated by representatives from the Australian Industry Group, Catholic Education Office, Chisholm TAFE, City of Kingston, Complex Training Academy, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Hallam Senior College, Outer Eastern LLEN, Prahran Community Learning Centre.

We congratulate all of the 2013 Ticket to Work nominees and winners and wish them as they continue to build even more skills and make a successful transition into their future careers.