Thirty-six of the Northern Territory’s top apprentices, trainees, vocational students, trainers, employers and registered training organisations are competing for the prestigious title of 2015 NT Training Awards Winner in their category.

This year a record 89 nominations were received across the 11 categories. Finalists include mature-age trainees and apprentices from regional and urban areas across the Territory, and from a myriad of industries including electro-technology, digital media, conservation and land management, business, baking, fitness, community services and agriculture.

“The Northern Territory Government is committed to training and upskilling Territorians to equip them to make the most of future job opportunities” Wendi Masters, Executive Director, Training NT said.  “The vocational education and training (VET) sector plays an integral role in the economic growth of the Territory, skilling and training our current and future workforce”.

The NT Training Awards are organised each year by the Department of Business with the support of valued sponsors: the Gil Court Memorial Fund, Apprentice Employment Network, ConocoPhilips, East Arnhem Regional Council, GTNT, VETnetwork Australia, Southern Cross Television, NT News, NEC, The Ichthys Project, Territory FM, Hot100, Hastings Deering and Quest Apartments Parap.

The night will be hosted by media personality, corporate presenter and MC Lochie Daddo and the package includes live entertainment, a three course meal and selected beverages.

Tickets can be purchased from www.trainingawards.nt.gov.au or by calling 8935 7750.

Most Territory winners will go on to represent the NT at the 2015 Australian Training Awards in Hobart in November.

For more information and details of the finalists, visit www.trainingawards.nt.gov.au and join the NT Training Awards on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NTTrainingAwards

Individual category finalists

Austin Asche Apprentice of the year - Sponsored by Gil Court Memorial Fund

• Taylor Fishlock - Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
• Liam O’Reilly - Certificate III in Engineering-Mechanical Trade
• Deborah Trebilcock - Certificate III in Retail Baking

Trainee of the year - Sponsored by Apprentice Employment Network

• Michael Perez - Certificate II in Telecommunications
• Drew Thomas - Certificate IV in Civil Construction Supervision
• Chelsea Dodds - Certificate III in Business

Vocational Student of the year - Sponsored by ConocoPhillips

• Anke Pfannkuchen - Certificate III and IV in Fitness
• Dawn Ivinson - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
• Melissa Bridge - Certificate III and IV in Fitness 
• Karen Rose - Diploma of Logistics

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the year - Sponsored by East Arnhem Regional Council

• Zachery Cork - Certificate III in Business Administration
• Raelene Gaykamangu - Certificate III in Financial Services
• Philadelphia Hughes - Certificate IV in Frontline Management
• Josephine Grant - Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management

VET in Schools Student of the year - Sponsored by VETnetwork Australia

• Joshua King - Certificate I in Engineering
• Chad Robinson - Certificate II in Business
• Caitlin Riedel - Certificate III in  Media
• Georgia Lowery - Certificate III in Agriculture

School-Based Apprentice or Trainee of the year - Sponsored by GTNT

• Sinead Spicer-Heaslip - Certificate III in Community Services Work
• Koulla Tomazos - Certificate III in Business Administration
• Hayley Statham - Certificate III in Business
• Raymond Fordimail - Certificate III in Business

VET Teacher/Trainer of the year

• Matthew Deveraux - Taminmin College
• Marlene Organ - Nhulunbuy High School
• Margaret Keighley - Charles Darwin University
• Debbie Say - Traditional Credit Union

Organisation category finalists

Employer of the year - Sponsored by Southern Cross Television

• Traditional Credit Union
• Carpentaria Disability Services
• The Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation

Small Employer of the year - Sponsored by NT News

• HiQA Geotechinal

Training Provider of the year - Sponsored by NEC

• Alana Kaye Training Specialists
• Matrix on Board Training
• Charles Darwin University

Industry Collaboration of the year - Sponsored by The Ichthys Project

• IE Project in collaboration with Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
• Berrimah Construction Services in collaboration with Department of Correctional Services and Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
• Motor Trades Association NT in collaboration with Department of Correctional Services and Centre for Appropriate Technology

Media contact: Becky Hargrove 0401 110 090