August 22nd, 2017

National Skills Week, Australia’s pinnacle week for celebrating vocational education and training (VET), will be celebrated across the country on 28 August- 03 September.  The week promotes the variety of pathways available through apprenticeships, traineeships, and vocational learning. VET Alumni, with a range in career stories, from those entering the work force, to those retraining into new careers, will be acknowledged throughout the week.

Tasmanian Jarrod Edwards finalist in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year  Award at the 2016 Australian Training Awards has always had a passion for the land.

Since the age of 21, Jarrod has worked in land management, currently as the Land Management Supervisor at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre in Burnie, where his position sees him managing the extensive Preminghana site in north-west Tasmania.

Through his many years in land management, Jarrod had gained a wealth of experience in his industry, though he never has any formal qualifications.  Deciding this was something he was interested in gaining, Jarrod chose to undertake a Certificate III and IV in Conservation and Land Management at TasTAFE.

Vocational training was the perfect vehicle for Jarrod to transfer his established skills and knowledge, into a formally recognised qualification.

Jarrod’s love of training, also lead him to undergraduate studies in history, geography and environmental studies.  All his qualifications and experience complement each other and have enabled him to become a highly skilled and trained worker in his industry.

Jarrod would like to mentor the next generation of Aboriginal land management workers, inspiring them with his vocational training success.

“It’s been a huge personal growth for me, its allowed me to come out of my shell as a person, I’ve met some fantastic people and been able to network.  It’s been very positive,” said Jarrod of his Australian Training Awards experience.

During National Skills Week, SkillsOne will be celebrating Tasmanian success stories at a lunch hosted by SkillsOne, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and TasTAFE on Thursday 24th August, at TasTAFE Drysdale Restaurant.

The event will be opened by The Hon. Matthew Groom MP, Minister for State Growth, Minister for Energy, Minister for Environment and Parks, Acting Attorney- General and Acting Minister for Justice and will be attended by over 120 VET stakeholders.

Guest speakers on the day will include Simon Wiggins Director of Avidity Training and Development a Launceston-based registered training organisation (RTO) and finalists in the Small Training Provider of the Year Award at the 2016 Australian Training Awards.  Avidity provides a wide range of training services throughout Tasmania aimed at helping individuals, communities and organisations grow and reach their potential.

“National Skills Week is an opportunity to get out into the public and highlight the career success of every day Australians and share their stories, in the hope that it encourages others, particularly students into vocation career pathways they may not has considered before,” said Kirstin Casey, General Manager at SkillsOne.

For further information on Jarrod or Avidity’s story, or other inspiring career stories from the Australian Training Awards  or the Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors Program, visit the Australian Training Awards website.

To organise an event, or take part in the many events that can be found across the country, visit the National Skills Week website.

Interviews for Jarrod Edwards and Avidity can be organised, via the contact details as noted below.

For more information please contact: Kirstin Casey (General Manager at SkillsOne)

Mobile: 0420 652 558 Email: kirstin.casey@skillsone.com.au

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