Victorian Vocational Student of the Year Award

Category information

The Victorian Vocational Student of the Year Award is presented to a vocational student 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. The three finalists receive $500 cash. The winner of this category may represent Victoria at the 2011 Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility and Conditions

You must:

• be a full-time or part-time student but not an apprentice or trainee; and
• have completed or be due to complete your training in the period 1 October 2010 – 30 September 2011 in a vocational education and training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to the Victorian Vocational Student of the Year Award.
• student applications are to be written by the student applicant.
• agree to the full Conditions of Entry

Preparing your application

• 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.

In developing your application, 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:

• any personal or career gains you have achieved by participating in your studies and your job
• how you can demonstrate your understanding of the value of learning
• how you have integrated on-the-job and off-the-job training and what benefits this has held.

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 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
• your awareness of current social, economic and political issues.

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 writing 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

When completing your application, check that 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 online

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

Name	Employer	Training Organisation	Qualification
Michael Hogan	Holmesglen TAFE	Holmesglen TAFE	Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology
Linda Day		Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE	Certificate III in Horticulture
Victoria McLure		Victoria University	Diploma of Youth Work
Kerri Ross		University of Ballarat	Diploma of Agriculture

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