The 2025 ACT Training Awards winners were announced on Thursday 11 September 2025. The presentation event was held at the National Museum of Australia.
To access the photos from the night, please visit the online gallery.
Our ACT individual category winners will progress to represent the ACT at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin on 5 December 2025. Our ACT organisation category winners will progress to the shortlisting stage of the Australian Training Awards.
Congratulations to the 2025 ACT Training Awards winners:
Individual categories:
ACT Australian Apprentice of the Year Stewart McLeod 
| Stewart McLeod is a third-year apprentice at Renrow Steel, currently completing his Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade at CIT Fyshwick. Promoted to Leading Hand at the end of his second year, Stewart now leads a team of apprentices and tradespeople, demonstrating strong leadership and technical skill. After facing academic challenges due to ADHD and dyslexia, Stewart found purpose and confidence through vocational education. Inspired by his grandfather, a boilermaker, he pursued metal fabrication and discovered a passion for hands-on work. Stewart’s employer continues to invest in his development, recognising his potential and commitment. Vocational training has provided him with a pathway into a fulfilling career, offering stability, growth, and a sense of achievement. Stewart aspires to become a qualified tradesperson and mentor others facing similar challenges. His journey reflects the transformative power of skills-based education in building a capable and inclusive workforce. |
ACT Vocational Student of the Year Shane Jordyn Vincent 
| Shane Vincent is a passionate advocate for mental health inclusion whose journey through Vocational Education and Training (VET) has empowered both personal recovery and professional impact. After completing a Certificate IV in Mental Health through The Australian Academy of Media, Shane gained practical skills in communication, support, and inclusive practice. This qualification helped him navigate personal health challenges and shaped his empathetic leadership style. Serving as Inclusion Manager at a peak body organisation in Canberra, Shane works to make workplaces more accessible for people with mental health conditions and disabilities. He is a proud VET ambassador, promoting the value of hands-on learning and its role in creating meaningful career pathways. Shane plans to continue advancing inclusion and inspiring others to explore VET opportunities. Outside of work, he volunteers with the ACT Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service, demonstrating his strong commitment to community service and resilience in action. |
ACT VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year Laura Henry 
| Laura Henry is a qualified educator in Laboratory Studies at the Canberra Institute of Technology, following a 15-year career as a medical scientist with ACT Pathology. Completing the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment enabled her to transition into education, where she now leads the Certificate III and IV Laboratory studies. Laura brings a strong foundation in science, a passion for teaching, and a commitment to student success. She has introduced innovative learning strategies — such as escape room challenges and structured work placements — that have enhanced student engagement and led to strong employment outcomes. A dedicated advocate for Vocational Education and Training, Laura actively collaborates with industry partners, mentors and peers to ensure training remains current and job-focused. Looking ahead, she is focused on expanding access to STEM through programs like the Vocational Learning Opportunity and refining training packages to meet evolving industry needs, ensuring students are well prepared for meaningful careers in science. |
ACT Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Kaydence Claire Storm 
| Kaydence Storm is a Year 12 student at St Mary MacKillop College, currently completing a Certificate II in Community Pharmacy through the Pharmacy Guild of Australia while working at Life Pharmacy Group. Her training qualification has significantly enhanced her understanding of pharmacy operations, legislation, and patient care. Kaydence applies her strengthened communication, attention to detail, and leadership skills daily in her role as a Pharmacy Assistant. Passionate about Vocational Education and Training, she values its practical, real-world learning and its role in building confident, capable professionals. Her future goal is to pursue a rewarding career in pharmacy, focusing on medicine and patient support. Beyond her studies, Kaydence contributes to school events, holds a leadership role at Kmart, and has received multiple awards, including the Rising Star and Penola Faculty Awards. Her dedication to education, teamwork, and community engagement reflects a strong commitment to lifelong learning and excellence. |
ACT Trainee of the Year Jiwon Kwack 
| Jiwon Kwack is a passionate and driven young professional whose journey through Vocational Education and Training (VET) showcases the power of determination and opportunity. Beginning as a school-based apprentice in 2022, Jiwon completed her Certificate II and transitioned into a full-time traineeship with the ACT Education Directorate, where she now works while studying for a Diploma of Business. She plays a key role in delivering career education programs, supporting hundreds of students and helping coordinate events that connect young people with real-world experiences. Jiwon is recognised for her initiative, leadership, and commitment to mentoring others, including new VET participants. Her ability to bridge university and vocational pathways makes her a relatable and inspiring advocate for accessible education. By sharing her story with students and international visitors, Jiwon promotes the value of VET and its role in building successful careers. Her dedication continues to shape opportunities for others and strengthen the future of vocational learning. |
ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich 
| Jaharn Mundy-Drazevich is a proud Ngunnawal and Yuin man with commitment to culturally safe healthcare and community wellbeing. After completing Year 12 at St Mary MacKillop College, Jaharn completed an Australian School-Based Apprenticeship through Indigenous Allied Health Australia, earning Certificates III in Allied Health Assistance and Community Services from the Canberra Institute of Technology. He is undertaking Certificates IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Community Services, further strengthening his skills and leadership capacity. Jaharn is passionate about increasing Aboriginal representation in health services and supporting younger students and trainees. His involvement in cultural events and mentoring reflects his dedication to community connection and empowerment. Recognised with awards for excellence, leadership, and cultural contribution, Jaharn continues to inspire others through his advocacy, teamwork, and commitment to learning. His journey highlights the strength of vocational pathways and the opportunities they create for lasting impact. |
Organisation categories:
ACT Industry Collaboration Award Winner Wodens Monaro Highway Civil Taster Program 
| The Wodens Monaro Highway Civil Taster Program is opening meaningful pathways into civil construction for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and individuals connected to the Alexander Maconochie Centre. Through accredited training, safety certifications, mentoring, and job placements, the program supports participants every step of the way. Run by St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn (Vinnies), the program brings together a committed group of partners — Wodens, WV Technologies, The Umbrella Collective, Worldview Foundation, MBA Training, Southern Training Organisation, ACT Training Fund Authority, Workforce Australia Local Jobs Capital Region, and the Australian Government’s Launch into Work Program. Participants are supported through tailored case management, literacy and numeracy assistance, culturally safe mentoring, and nutrition services — building confidence, skills, and job-readiness. Every graduate has received a job offer, proving how inclusive and well coordinated training can lead to lasting change. |
ACT Large Employer of the Year Winner YWCA Canberra 
| YWCA Canberra is a not-for-profit organisation that has been delivering essential community services across the ACT and surrounding regions since 1929. With a team of around 450 staff, the organisation works across early childhood education, youth services, housing, training, and advocacy. Through its registered training organisation (RTO 1373), YWCA Canberra provides accredited training in early childhood education and women’s leadership. This focus on professional development has boosted the quality of its services and helped staff and community members build skills and confidence. YWCA Canberra runs inclusive programs like She Leads, which supports leadership growth for women and non-binary people. Connected to a global YWCA network in over 120 countries, the organisation combines local action with a strong voice for change — and has been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality. |
ACT Small Training Provider of the Year Winner Centre of Professional Learning and Education (Cple) 
| The Centre of Professional Learning and Education (Cple), part of Communities at Work, is a Canberra based registered training organisation (RTO 88148) delivering nationally recognised qualifications in early childhood education and care, and business. With 75 students enrolled in 2024, Cple is known for its supportive, relationship based approach and focus on accessibility. In 2023, Cple was awarded the ACT Government’s Skilled to Succeed Innovation Grant to launch its Language, Literacy, Numeracy, and Digital Literacy (LLND) Coaching Program. This one-on-one support starts at enrolment and continues throughout each student’s learning journey, guided by experienced early childhood and vocational educators. So far, 33 students — many from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds — have taken part in the program. It’s led to higher rates of course completion, stronger outcomes, and positive feedback from students and employers alike. With flexible study options and strong industry ties, Cple continues to lead the way in inclusive vocational education in the ACT. |
ACT Large Training Provider of the Year Winner Canberra Institute of Technology 
| The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the ACT’s public provider of vocational education and training, with more than 9,000 students enrolled in 2024. As an important part of the local skills and training system, CIT plays a key role in building the local workforce and supporting the region’s economic growth. Its graduates contribute across key sectors — from construction and aged care to electric vehicle maintenance and cybersecurity. CIT is committed to making education accessible and inclusive, creating a supportive environment where all learners can thrive. In 2024, CIT undertook a strategic planning process to guide its development over the next decade, focusing on innovation, campus renewal, and digital transformation. Major initiatives include the new CIT Woden campus, Cloud Campus Program, Fee-Free TAFE, CIT Yurauna, and the Electric Vehicle TAFE Centre of Excellence. These projects reflect CIT’s commitment to delivering forward looking, skills based training that meets the needs of industry and the community. |
