CDU VET students honoured at NT Training Awards

Several students from Charles Darwin University (CDU) are celebrating individual category wins at the Northern Territory Training Awards held recently. 

The awards in its 67^th year, celebrates the achievements of Territorians in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector and recognises the outstanding contributions made by NT businesses, training organisations, apprentices, trainees, trainers and students.

At the gala event, 25-year-old CDU student Mary Coulter, of Nightcliff, was awarded the prestigious Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year award.

Ms Coulter recently completed a UEE30820 Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician and a UEE31220 Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control at CDU and currently works as an electrical and instrumentation technician.

“Completing my qualifications at CDU has helped to open up so many doors for my future and makes me look more desirable for any employer,” Ms Coulter said.

Earlier this year Ms Coulter was awarded the GTNT Apprentice of the Year Award which led to her nomination for the NT Training Awards.

“The award is a nice recognition of the hard work I have put into my study and apprenticeship and puts me in a position to help promote VET pathways and apprenticeships as well as encourage more women into the trades,” she said.

CDU student Bella Faull was awarded the School Based Apprentice of the Year Award after studying a SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing at CDU and Kira Vanderkley was awarded the Vocational Student of the Year Award after studying a SIS30315 Certificate III in Fitness and a SIS40215 Certificate IV in Fitness.

CDU, Territory Generation and Gastrain were also awarded the Industry Collaboration of the Year Award for the GAS Type B project.

This project saw CDU and Gastrain combine to create a highly advanced and specialised training course for Territory Generation workers to better equip them for the needs of their job.

CDU was also runner up in the Large Training Provider of the Year category and sponsor of the Employer of the Year category, which was won by Glencore McArthur River Mining.

CDU students Edward Clarke, Lachlan Foweraker and Kyle Bambra were runners up in the Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year award, VET in Schools Student of the Year award and Vocational Student of the Year award respectively.

CDU Acting Vice-Chancellor Sam Jacob, said the awards recognised the outstanding achievements and dedication of students at the university.

“I extend my congratulations to the CDU students who won awards and all the finalists who have had their dedication to their respective profession and field recognised at the NT Training Awards,” Mx Jacob said. 

“These wins reinforce CDU’s position as a leading provider of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Northern Territory and show that we deliver high-quality training to our student cohort.”

CDU offers a broad variety of VET courses with flexible entry pathways and study options available.

The NT Training Awards gala event was held in Darwin on September 3 at the Darwin Convention Centre.