VCAL Awards

Last Thursday, a large number of our VCAL students were recognised for the outstanding results and outcomes they have achieved in their School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Our students excel in their TAFE and workplaces, and it is fantastic to see them publicly celebrated for their achievements. 

In each industry area, a large number of students across the schools in the atEAST program undertake school based apprenticeships and traineeships. For students to be recognised on this night, they have stood out as showing very high performance in their TAFE and workplaces. 

Winners of Best Apprentice or Trainee in any industry is something these students should be extremely proud of. We are very proud of them. 

A number of students have also been recognised for going to extra length to extend themselves while also taking on the rigour of school, TAFE and work in their SBAT program. Teodora Topali, Daniel Williams, Hugo Zhou and Harron Sultani all undertook a program through LaTrobe University on top of their SBAT – and excelled. We are thrilled that through this program they received early offers to enter directly into the undergraduate degrees of their selection in 2023. They are a true demonstration that applied pathways offer students just as many options for post-school education as a standard VCE. 

Stefania Tanasi has had a huge year. After completing Year 11 in a VCE program, she was passionate about pursuing her dream of becoming a Mechanic. So she transferred to the VCAL SBAT program and landed an apprenticeship with a local luxury car dealership in the servicing department. She has been so professional in every aspect of her SBAT – excelling at TAFE, being respected and embraced by her workplace, and determined to crack on with getting her school work done efficiently. For this reason, she was recognised as the Best 1st Year Apprentice in Auto. She was also recognised as the Best 1st Year Apprentice across all industries in the atEAST program. A huge achievement. 

Stefania was also recognised for the work that she has done in the community to promote both SBAT, and encouraging young women to engage in male-dominated industries. She has contributed to the “Many Talents – One VCE” community education campaign and done public speaking engagements (including VERY early ones!). I thank Stefania for her work in this area, and encourage all young people to follow her lead and pursue their passions, now matter what preconceptions you may have. You will be supported and cheered along the way!

We congratulate all our SBATs this year, and look forward to staying across their journeys into their future careers and studies. 

Kelly Kingham

VCAL/SBAT Corodinator