Voting is now open for the new Community Choice Award, a category in the 2015 Victorian Training Awards, giving the public the chance to help an apprentice take the next step with their training and career.
Launching the popular vote today, Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert said he created the new prize category to give the public a chance to show their support for young people in training.
Apprentices were chosen as the inaugural category to affirm the Andrews Labor Government’s support for Victoria’s hard working apprentices, who are the future of industry in this state. A new category will be chosen for the Community Choice Award each year.
The four apprentices who are shortlisted for the Community Choice Award are:
- Apprentice chef Rabia Hussein, who trained at Crown College
- Apprentice nursery worker Chris Henbery, who trained at Swinburne University of Technology
- Apprentice carpenter Marlon Young-Healy, who trained at Box Hill Institute
- Apprentice hairdresser Hayley Parker, who trained at The Gordon
More information about each of the finalists, who were also judged as finalists for the 2015 Victorian Apprentice of the Year Award, is available online at
The Labor Government is a strong supporter of apprentices, through initiatives such as $3.5 million to continue the Apprenticeship Support Office program for 12 months and half-price vehicle registrations.
Mr Herbert said apprentices are the backbone of the training system, and this award is a way for the community to show their support for the apprentices’ hard work in their training.
The Government is also helping apprentices through our $50 million TAFE Back to Work fund to support TAFE institutes to deliver more training in growing industries.
Voting for the Community Choice Award will be conducted online via the website, along with a social media campaign on Twitter and Facebook. Voting closes on August 28 at 7.45pm.
The apprentice with the highest number of votes will win a prize package worth nearly $5000, including a laptop computer and software, as well as $2000 cash to help further their education.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert
“Apprenticeships are at the heart of our training system, which is why this Government is providing apprentices with more support and opportunities to develop their skills.”
“By voting in the Community Choice Award, Victorians can support our apprentices to take the next steps with their training and careers.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020