Australia’s top vocational students recognised

Five hundred of the nation’s most skilled students have been recognised for their efforts in vocational education and training in schools.

Acting Minister for School Education, Senator Chris Evans, today announced the successful recipients of the 2011 Australian Vocational Student Prize and the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School.

“The Australian Vocational Student Prize recognises students who have demonstrated exceptional skills and commitment while completing a Vocational Education and Training in Schools program, or an Australian School-based Apprenticeship,” Senator Evans said.

“In addition, 20 students who strive to be the best and achieve outstanding results are awarded the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School.”

Winners of the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School are selected from the top Australian Vocational Student Prize recipients and are awarded in state and territory, industry and Indigenous categories. All 500 winners receive $2000 and a certificate recognising their achievements.

“Both of these prizes promote and recognise vocational education in schools as a valuable pathway for students,” Senator Evans said.

“Through their studies, winners of these awards have gained a better understanding of the workplace, and have developed industry-specific skills that will help them get work in their chosen career.”

The Australian Vocational Student Prize is the vocational equivalent of the academic Australian Student Prize, another initiative aimed at recognising the achievements of students and their schools.

“The Australian Vocational Student Prize and the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School are another part of the Gillard Government’s commitment to giving all Australian students world-class opportunities,” Senator Evans said.

“They are in addition to other support, including our $2.5 billion Trade Training Centres in Schools Program to help school to get an industry-standard qualification and our $4.1 million Indigenous Ranger Cadetship pilot program, which gives Indigenous students culturally relevant training for jobs in their local community including land, sea and natural resource management.”

For the full list of winners and for more information on the Australian Vocational Student Prize and the Prime Minister’s Award for Skills Excellence in School visit: www.deewr.gov.au/avsp.