Six ACT finalists – three of them from the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) – will be in Hobart tonight for the Australian Training Awards, which recognise national excellence in vocational education and training.
Poppy Chalmers, finalist Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Poppy undertook an Australian School-based Apprenticeship with Indigenous Allied Health Australia, completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance at CIT under a new program in the ACT called the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy. She then progressed to a Certificate III in Community Services.
“It was the push I needed to stay in school, and it gave me a lot of life skills in general,” Poppy said.
Her older sister Sky, who has cystic fibrosis, inspired her to pursue her study.
“For the first 18 years of Sky’s life, we spent probably all up a month in hospital each year, and I was always there,” Poppy said. “I saw the impact different health practitioners had on patients and their families, and how vital that is for their wellbeing and care. It’s something I really want to be part of.”
Tessa Valter, finalist Apprentice of the Year
Ms Valter completed a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician with Global Energy Training Solutions. She has worked for Evoenergy for more than a decade.
Ms Valter has been interested in the electrical industry since high school. She wanted a mentally and physically challenging job, and the electrical industry was the perfect option for her.
Securing a non-trade position at Evoenergy as an Electrical Network Inspector after school, she spent the next six years learning about the distribution network. When the opportunity arose, she started an apprenticeship.
“During my apprenticeship, my self-confidence and my work has grown exponentially, and I am very proud of that,” Ms Valter said.
Today, Ms Valter is a mentor to newer apprentices within the business. She has taken part in advertising campaigns promoting safety in the sector, and campaigns encouraging women to apply for apprenticeships. This included television and radio advertisements, radio interviews for International Women’s Day, and interviews for social media and magazines to promote Evoenergy and women in trades.
Her employer describes her as hard working, talented and an inspirational spokesperson for the industry.
Cyrus Wren, finalist Trainee of the Year
Working within the VET sector for more than two years while undertaking a VET pathway, Mr Wren has developed a true passion for vocational education and training.
Studying a Diploma of Project Management and working as a Career and Transitions Project Support Officer at the ACT Education Directorate, Mr Wren believes that he can impact the lives of every ACT public school student through his job.
During his traineeship, Mr Wren has delivered informative presentations about opportunities in VET to more than 1,500 students across the ACT.
“I have a powerful, impactful story I would like to share with people all across the country to help them understand how VET can change their life,” Mr Wren said.
He was nominated for the 2021 ACT Training Awards in the Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category, and was a highly commended runner-up. In 2022, he was nominated for the Young Canberra Citizen of the Year Awards, and was a highly commended runner-up in the Personal Achievement category.
Emma Brown, finalist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Ms Brown, an Ngemba woman, joined the Indigenous Apprenticeship Program in the Australian Public Service, where she studied a Diploma of Government with CIT Solutions.
After completing her Diploma, she secured a permanent position as a Customer Service Officer at the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. A single mother, Ms Brown said it had been life-changing.
“I wanted to show [my son] good work ethic and that anything’s possible if you put your mind to it,” Ms Brown said.
“The IAP was about creating a better future for me and my son. I’m dyslexic, so I was always told I can’t do things, and people tried to limit me. So, this study has built my confidence, to show I really am capable. When people say you can’t, well you can; you’ve just got to believe in yourself.”
Marija Rathouski, finalist Vocational Student of the Year
Ms Rathouski enrolled in a Certificate IV in Mental Health while working as a Case Manager at YWCA Canberra. The course aligned with her passion to support people and offered the flexibility of online learning so she could continue to work and balance other commitments in her life. She believes that her training had an important impact on her, both personally and professionally.
Ms Rathouski learnt practical strategies to support clients with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Her goal is to develop these skills and to make a difference in the lives of others. The vocational training enabled her to take on new responsibilities in the workplace which opened opportunities for career advancement.
In 2023, Ms Rathouski spoke at the Youth Homelessness Matters Day and was an ambassador for Homelessness Connect. She has participated in industry panels, networking meetings and roundtables where she shared her perspectives and insight.
Commended by her trainer for her hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence, Marija embodies the qualities of an outstanding professional in the mental health sector.
Peter Redfern-Elliot, finalist VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
Mr Redfern-Elliot has taught at CIT for 15 years in Hospitality, Hotel, Travel, Tourism and Events Management programs. He has also been a Pastoral Care Officer for nine years, providing wellbeing and academic support to international students.
“My teaching philosophy is about providing an environment that’s fun, engaging, and where students can feel comfortable and safe and where they can learn through a simulated environment,” Mr Redfern-Elliot said.
“We’re very lucky here at CIT because we’ve got great facilities. We’ve got live restaurants, live bars, live cafes; it creates that environment for the student to actually be job-ready because it’s simulated in that workplace environment. We are not just four walls and a classroom. My philosophy is to give every student the opportunity to be the best they can be.”
Teacher Peter Redfern-Elliot and students Poppy Chalmers and Emma Brown all come from the CIT.
“CIT is so proud to have these three finalists at the Australian Training Awards because they embody CIT’s commitment to delivering the highest quality vocational education and training,” interim CEO Christine Robertson said.
“Australia is facing an enormous skills challenge, and CIT is a big part of the solution when it comes to driving the ACT’s workforce and economy forward. This may well be one of the most important times in CIT’s history, and so we are focused on teaching excellence that can ultimately support student success.”
The Australian Training Awards will be held from 6pm to 11pm Friday, and live streamed at www.AustralianTrainingAwards.gov.au
