2024 ACT Training Awards winners

ACT Australian School-based Apprentice of the year

LAWSON CONNOR

Lawson is a proud Wiradjuri man. He is a Year 11 student attending Gungahlin College. He is enrolled in a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance at CIT Solutions. Lawson is employed by the Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA), and is undergoing his placement at Canberra Health Services.

Lawson chose to undertake an ASbA to prepare his career as a healthcare professional. His interest in the sector comes from his own experience of the impact health professionals can have on patients and their family. The VET pathway helped Lawson decide on the area in healthcare he wants to pursue. Lawson’s goal is to become a paramedic in rural/remote areas, or in disadvantaged Aboriginal communities in Australia.

With the partnerships of IAHA, Lawson assisted the Indigenous community at Gugan Gulwan. This organisation is committed to protect, nurture and support children, youth and their families as they grow-from birth through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood.

Lawson was nominated for his dedication, professionalism and eagerness to learn and improve.

ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the year

REBECCA GRACE MARTIN

Rebecca is a proud Wiradjuri woman. She joined the Indigenous Apprenticeship Program (IAP) and is studying a Diploma of Government with CIT. Rebecca is employed at the Department of Parliamentary Services, in the Workforce Planning and Reporting team.

Rebecca came across the IAP while searching for work opportunities in the public sector. This VET pathway enabled her to complete a qualification and to gain practical experience in a government agency.

Rebecca says: “The VET program of study has been extremely helpful for me. The course content has given me a clearer insight into the Government's operations. It has also improved my skills in managing conflict and engaging with stakeholders. I believe that the learning will be useful throughout my life.”

Rebecca is a representative at the Parliamentary Service Indigenous Employees Network meetings. She is involved in the development and implementation of initiatives that improve the Indigenous cultural awareness and inclusion.

Rebecca is nominated for taking every opportunity to learn new skills and to maximise her participation in the teamwork.

ACT Trainee of the year

ARIAH HOLMES

Ariah is enrolled in a Diploma of Leadership and management with YWCA Canberra. She is employed as a Senior Sector Development Coordinator at Volunteering ACT. Ariah  works with not-for-profit organisations and supports them to build healthy, safe and sustainable volunteering programs.

Ariah is a strong advocate for continued development and learning. her goal was to obtain a qualification that would support her career when her role and portfolio of work expanded. Ariah says: “The VET pathway provided a safe and inclusive space for me to learn and grow, helping me to increase my confidence and capability both in my work and as a leader.”

Ariah loves to help and has a passion for reducing barriers for people from vulnerable cohorts, including those with disabilities, from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and young people.

Ariah demonstrated leadership in her workplace which directly led to a more diverse and engaged membership base for VolunteeringACT.

She was nominated for her emotional intelligence, respect, inclusion, collaboration, and self-reflection.

ACT Vocational Student of the year

ALYSSA TRACEY

Alyssa completed a Diploma of Community Services with Key 2 Learning.

Alyssa faced challenges as a young mother in her early 20’s, and these challenges encouraged her to pursue a VET pathway. She is passionate about advocating for vulnerable people in the community.

Alyssa commenced working at EveryMan Australia in 2021 as a Support Worker and was promoted Case Worker shortly after. She is now working towards being a Case Manager. Her responsibilities include supporting men with high and complex needs, men reintegrating the community after incarceration and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families at risk of homelessness.

Despite some initial frustration and stress, Alyssa’s training became easier as her confidence improved with the help, guidance and support of her trainers and fellow classmates.

She says: “It’s never too late to learn and obtain a nationally recognised qualification to boost employment opportunities.”

Alyssa was nominated for her excellent academic record, for her passion and for her dedication to her studies.

ACT VET Teacher/Trainer of the year

NADINE MORTON

Nadine is a passionate teacher of Nursing at CIT. She is a registered Nurse with 25 years experience in medical and surgical nursing, aged and community care.

Nadine’s innovative approach to teaching is based on practical settings,  allowing students to build self-confidence and enhance their competence as they integrate into the nursing profession.

Nadine is committed to excellence in program delivery and student support. She has a strong commitment to high-quality patient care and wants to help- shape the next generation of nurses.

Nadine was nominated for consistently demonstrating the qualities of a great teacher, demonstrating genuine compassion and dedication every day. Nadine goes above and beyond to build student confidence and to support personal growth and is an active and approachable mentor for less experienced staff.

Over the last four years, Nadine was nominated for the CIT Student Association (CITSA) Teacher of the Year and won this award twice, in 2020 and 2023.

ACT Apprentice of the year

LEANNE KELL

Leanne is a mature female electrical apprentice. She is studying a Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician at CIT, and is employed by Ultrasonic Electrical Services.

Previously, Leanne completed a Bachelor of Commerce. She achieved both high results and work successes. She then became a mother to two girls and decided to re-direct her career.

Leanne wanted to demonstrate that work doesn’t have to be a chore, that it is never too late to learn and that careers don’t have gender boundaries. She says: “A trade apprenticeship has been a great solution, as it has allowed me to learn the right skills while earning an income to help support my family.”

Leanne chose a career as an electrical trade to compliment her mathematical skills. Three and half years later, she is set to soon become a qualified electrician.

Outside of work, Leanne loves to spend time with her family. She enjoys woodwork, travelling and community projects including the organisation of the annual Street Christmas Party.

Norm Fisher Award

ALLEYNE FORJANIC

Alleyne’s contributions to ACT’s VET sector over the past 25 years are testament to her belief in the transformative power of vocational education and training (VET).

Alleyne started working in the VET sector in 2000 at Regional Group Training, delivering Training and Education (TAE), leadership and management. In 2025, she commenced working at Key 2 Learning College. As the College’s CEO, Alleyne led the organisation to expand into Nursing Studies.  Recently, she piloted the accreditation of the Diploma of Community Services through the Australian Community Workers Association. Under Alleyne’s leadership, Key 2 Learning College was announced as the 2022 ACT Small Training Provider of the Year and is shortlisted for the same award again this year.

Within this senior leadership position, Alleyne engaged with the shifting of policies and the regulatory landscape of the VET sector. Alleyne has extended a range of training opportunities for both domestic and international students in Canberra. She promotes careful adherence to compliance requirements and regulatory frameworks, to ensure that training outputs are fit for purpose and graduates are work ready. In this context, one of her particular passions is the Foundation Skills for education.

Currently, Alleyne is Chair of the Independent Tertiary Education Council (ITECA). Under her leadership, she effectively represents the interests of independent RTOs across the ACT, fostering collaboration to ensure quality and excellence across ITECA’s ACT members.

Alleyne was also President of the Association of Providers of Training Services and has been a committee member of the organisation for over a decade.

ACT Industry Collaboration Award

HEAD START PILOT PROGRAM

Head Start is an Australian School-based Apprenticeship initiative. It provides tailored programs that matches students’ job interests with local businesses in need of skilled workers. It enables students to develop industry skills and increase employment prospects, while completing their Senior Secondary Certificate via a personalised learning pathway.

Head Start is a collaboration led by the ACT Education Directorate between public schools, 28 local employers (including Vikings Group and Busy Bees), six registered training organisations including Access Recognised Training, Canberra Institute of Technology and Australian Childcare Career Options, the ACT Government and the National Careers Institute.

A dedicated team

\ builds connections, supporting students’ success in the program across all cohorts. Features of the collaboration include flexible school, work, pre-vocational activities and training to meet individual student and employer needs, and access to tailored supports to maximise success. This includes a customised pre-vocational program delivered to targeted cohort of students with disability.

ACT Small Employer of the year

INTRAVISION

Based in Fyshwick, ACT, Intravision Pty Limited has been operating since 2000. Intravision provides data communication and audio-visual services and solutions. They employ 85 people in their Canberra, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne offices.

The company operates across industry sectors including Federal and State Government, data centres, construction, health and education facilities. Their area of expertise includes high security and complex data cabling and AV installations for secure agencies, and large-scale commercial clients.

In 2023, Intravision was the ACT and National Winner of the NECA Excellence Award in ICT and AV. They were rewarded for their work on installation at the newly completed Civic Quarter 2 precinct. In the same year, Intravision was one of the top five finalists in the Employment Hero Culture Transformation Awards across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Malaysia.

Intravision’s stated mission is to nurture a workplace culture where each employee not only flourishes but also contributes to its success.

ACT Large Employer of the year

O’NEILL & BROWN GROUP

O’Neill & Brown is a group of family-owned companies established in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region over 50 years ago. They started in the plumbing industry and have grown to include fire and electrical services, steadily evolving into one of Canberra’s largest service and construction contracting firms. O'Neill & Brown Group now has over 300 full-time employees in the ACT, and three part-time employees, including two Australian School-based Apprentices completing trade qualifications.

O’Neill and Brown has always focused on developing its employees, and on the needs of its clients. With this commitment, O’Neill & Brown Group has delivered some of the largest and complex projects in Canberra.

The company has been a contractor to some of Canberra’s most iconic developments around the city, including Calvary Public & Private Hospital, John Gorton Building, Glebe Park, Parliament House, GIO Stadium and most recently Australian War Memorial and Canberra Hospital Expansion Project.

ACT Large RTO of the year

CANBERRA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) has been providing technical and further education in the ACT and surrounding area since 1928. With around 20,000 students each year, CIT offers over 300 courses ranging from apprenticeships and certificate-level training through to diplomas, degrees and graduate certificates.

CIT courses are strongly aligned with the priorities of the ACT and the nation. They work at growing the territory’s workforce to 300,000 by the end of the decade, with a focus on priorities such as net zero, electrification, renewables, advanced manufacturing, the care sector, hospitality, construction, and cyber-security.

In 2023, CIT celebrated notable accomplishments. They include the delivery of 2,530 Fee-Free TAFE enrolments, and the success of CIT students both at the WorldSkills Australia competition and the ACT and National Training Awards.

CIT keeps modernising. They recently obtained the creation of a $325 million building in Woden and a $38 million investment to uplift their digital technology.

ACT Small RTO of the year

KEY 2 LEARNING COLLEGE

Established in 2009, Key 2 Learning College is a registered training organisation that provides a range of nationally accredited vocational qualifications and skill sets, professional development training and consultancy services. They focus on the health, aged care, community services and disability sectors.

Key 2 Learning College works closely with aged care residences, disability organisations and Governments to ensure their qualifications and trainings meet their students and industry needs.

Key 2 Learning College is based in Canberra and Campbelltown. They also deliver on-site to many regional and remote locales.  Their learning management system - Canvas - enables students to learn online through digital lectures and tutorials. Their Articulation Pathways allow their students to progress to university studies through a streamlined process with credit towards a Bachelor degree.

As an approved Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) provider, they have a capacity to welcome 250 international students. They have offices in Vietnam and in India and  have developed a wide network of agents in South-Est Asia, Gulf Region, Middle East, Africa, and South America.