Victorian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award

Category information

The Victorian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to a school-based apprentice who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their studies.

The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world-class training system. Three runners up each receive $500. The winner will represent Victoria at the 2011 Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility and Conditions

You must:

• be a permanent resident of Victoria who has completed or is completing a Certificate III qualification through an Australian School-based Apprenticeship and is still enrolled at school.
• agree to the full Conditions of Entry.
• Student applications must be written by the student applicant.

Preparing your application

When completing your application, remember:

• Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of five (5) A4 pages plus five (5) pages in attachments (no more than 10 pages in total). Any material in excess of 10 pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
• The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however, any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.

Section A: Overview

Provide a short overview covering a description of the qualification you enrolled in, your Registered Training Organisation and employer (if applicable) as well as your reason for choosing this industry and training path.

Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria

• Criterion 1: Career and study achievements
• Criterion 2: Communication, team and leadership skills
• Criterion 3: Other pursuits
• Criterion 4: Ability to represent the training system at a broader level
  

Addressing the criteria

You must present your information in a way that clearly addresses the award criteria. Judging panels will be looking for evidence of how your training has contributed to your career and study plans, to the development of your skills and your achievements to date, as well as any way in which your training may have helped you to achieve other pursuits.

You may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include when writing against the criteria.

1. Career and study achievements

Consider things such as:

• description of work placements and the skills learnt
• reasons for choosing an Australian School-based Apprenticeship
• how an Australian School-based Apprenticeship is assisting in employment, career and training plans
• competency results.

2. Communication, team and leadership skills

Consider any skills you have developed through your training, such as:

• effective oral and written communication
• your level of self-reliance and resilience in times of challenge
• effective team participation
• leadership and promotion of your training, industry, school or other things you are involved in
• your capacity to be an effective ambassador for your industry, community and Australia.

3. Other pursuits

You may wish to include information about:

• your achievements in areas other than study and work
• your involvement in the community
• letters and/or certificates acknowledging your involvement or achievements.

4. Ability to represent the National Training System at a broader level

Tell us about:

• any knowledge or understanding you have gained of new developments and trends in your workplace or industry and the vocational education and training system
• any messages you might have that could encourage others who are interested in entering your training pathway.

What assistance can I get to write my application?

A seminar to assist nominees to write effective applications will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at 4.30pm at Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street.

Checklists

Nomination Checklist

Before you submit your nomination, make sure you check the following:

• You are still enrolled in school;
• You meet all of the eligibility requirements for the category;
• Use 12 point fonts only;
• Keep to ten (10) A4 pages including attachments;
• Directly address the criteria in your written application;
• Read and agree to conditions of entry;
• Meet the deadline of 6 May 2011 at 5pm (date all applications need to be received);
• Submit via the online application

Criteria Checklist

Have you answered all of the following criteria?

• Criterion 1: Career and study achievements
• Criterion 2: Communications, team and leadership skills
• Criterion 3: Other pursuits
• Criterion 4: Ability to represent the training system at a broader level

2010 Finalists

A complete list of past winners and finalists can be found on the Past Awards page.