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2008 Small Training Provider of the Year

Directions Australia Pty Ltd

Directions Australia is a Registered Training Organisation established in 1997. Directions Australia primarily provides services for the Community Services and Health Industry by providing accredited learning and development in disability work for workers in community based organisations and people with a disability. Workers in this sector often find training challenging, and Directions Australia has worked hard to ensure it is as accessible as possible.

To assist learners and client organisations, Directions Australia has developed consultative methods to allow learners to have a leading role in deciding the delivery of training. Training is taken to the learners and organisations wherever possible. Through this consultative and flexible approach, Directions Australia raised its learners' completion rates to 78% - double the national average.

2008 Large Training Provider of the Year

McDonalds

McDonald's is well known for its high calibre training that ensures all its staff are equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in every area of their position.

McDonald's is one of Australia's largest employers, and believes that their commitment to training is essential to the ongoing success of the business. Crew members are trained to work across all sections of McDonald's restaurants. They are regularly monitored and have the opportunity to continuously update their skills and qualifications.

As a Registered Training Organisation, McDonald's offers traineeships in Retail Operations and Retail Supervision, as well as a nationally accredited Management Development Program.

2008 NSW Training Initiative Award

DOCS - Learning and Development Branch

The NSW Department of Community Services is a government agency providing a wide range of family and community services through more than 4,000 staff, some 2,000 of whom are in frontline roles.

The Department has employed more indigenous staff in recent years to assist in providing support to indigenous clients. To ensure better outcomes for Indigenous staff joining the Department, the caseworker development course called CDC Plus has been developed. The program aims to provide additional skills based support to new Aboriginal staff. The program combines accredited training with one on one coaching and mentoring in the workplace. The program has been successful in attracting and retaining indigenous staff, providing accredited vocational outcomes and pathways to further training.

2008 NSW Employer of the Year

Weir Minerals Australia

Weir Minerals Australia is a global company that has been operating in Australia for 70 years. They have over 600 operational and administrative staff, including 24 apprentices.

Weir Minerals provides training opportunities to all employees to improve their skills and enable them to thrive in the challenging environment of manufacturing.

In 2007, Weir Minerals offered employees at the Artarmon site training in a variety of courses including nationally recognised training to enhance production efficiency, provide greater job satisfaction and boost opportunities for career progression. This investment is paying off, with more than 94% of participants successfully completing nationally accredited courses in Competitive Manufacturing.

2008 NSW Small Business of the Year

Midson Road Child Care Centre

Midson Road Child Care Centre is a friendly long day care centre catering for 50 children a day that has just celebrated its 10th birthday. In that time the centre has established a culture of promoting and supporting training and staff improvement.

The centre has been the recipient of several state and national awards, including Child Care NSW Trainee of the Year and Children's Service of the Year in the Australian childcare Awards.

A program of staff orientation and continuous development ensures that all staff learn and appreciate the ethos of the centre. The centre's flexible employment practices assist staff with both study and family commitments, contributing to the staff turnover being considerably below industry norms.

2008 NSW Excellence in Trade Skills

Awarded by Unions NSW

Laura Goovan - Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Mechanical) - Aeroskills (Mechanical) Certificate IV

Trained by: TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute

Employed by: Qantas Airways Ltd

As one of only seven women in Sydney qualified in this field Laura has excelled at TAFE and gained the respect of her peers, supervisors and employers with her dedication to her profession.

Laura continues her training in specialised courses to supplement her trade skills and keep up with security and safety standards and the evolving technical nature of the industry. In preparation of becoming a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, her studies have included a series of Civil Aviation Safety Authority licensing exams including OH&S, yellow card elevated platform, environmental awareness, electric shock awareness and her pilot's licence.

Laura has been a spokesperson for Qantas, appeared in advertising campaigns for both Qantas and the Department of Education and Training and has confidently spoken at a number of high schools and career expos in many capital cities and regional centres about working in the avionics industry.

2008 NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Michael Donovan - Engineering (Fabrication) Certificate 3

2008 NSW Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year

Brenton Pearce - Carpentry & Joinery - Carpentry Certificate III

Trained by: TAFE - Hunter Institute

Employed by: Housing Industry Association Ltd

School: St Peter's Catholic College

While studying Construction in Year 11, Brenton investigated and commenced a School Based Apprenticeship through TAFE NSW, with recognition for units he had completed at school.

Brenton has demonstrated his outstanding employability skills both at school and in the workplace, as well as his construction skills through his work on a 70 metre wetlands boardwalk.

2008 NSW Vocational School Student of the Year

Benjamin Buchhorn - Hospitality - Commercial Cookery

Trained by: Edmund Rice College

School: Edmund Rice College

Benjamin has had a vast range of experiences in a short amount of time. Benjamin believes through his work placement at a variety of hotels and restaurants he has a far greater appreciation of the interrelationship of sectors within the hospitality industry such as front and back of house operations.

With his positive attitude and commitment to the Industry Benjamin has won many awards in hospitality.