2025 Victorian Training Awards finalists - training provider categories

This award recognises innovation and excellence by an organisation involved in improving skills in the local community or workplace.

Cire Services Inc.

Cire Training leads in community-based education, delivering innovative programs that empower individuals and drive regional workforce development. For almost 50 years, Cire Training has nurtured diverse learners in the Outer Eastern Melbourne region, supporting them through pre-accredited programs, nationally recognised qualifications, and industry training.

Standout initiatives include the Certificate I in Independence, delivered to Youth Foyer residents, supporting vulnerable youth to transition into study or employment. Cire’s First Impressions Clothing Exchange provides mentoring and job readiness support for women re-entering the workforce, and the VET Delivered to Secondary Students programs equip students with qualifications across high-demand sectors including hospitality, community services and early childhood education.

Alignment with industry maximises employment outcomes for learners facing barriers such as financial hardship, learning difficulties, or social challenges. By providing a flexible and accessible approach to mentoring, academic assistance, and access to community resources, Cire’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom; strengthening the social and economic fabric of communities by supporting emerging workforce demands and skill development across a wide range of sectors.

Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association

The Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association (AVWA) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1983 to support Vietnamese refugees in Victoria. AVWA currently delivers a range of services, including nationally accredited vocational training through its RTO, to culturally and linguistically diverse communities across four Melbourne locations.

AVWA applies a holistic approach to impact the lives of vulnerable members of society by delivering vocational training with employment pathways. Integrating education and support services ensures learners overcome personal, social and financial challenges enabling them to achieve in programs such as Certificate III in Individual Support and Early Childhood Education. Wraparound services including bilingual trainers, counselling, financial aid, meal deliveries and family support illustrate a deep commitment to social impact.

Graduates often transition directly into aged care and NDIS services. In 2024, AVWA achieved a 92% completion rate and 95.1% learner satisfaction, showcasing AVWA’s impactful education meets critical workforce needs, and demonstrates the transformative power of community-led education.

VICSEG New Futures

VICSEG New Futures delivers culturally responsive training to empower migrant and refugee communities, particularly women, to gain employment in high-demand sectors. Originating in 1980 as a grassroots childcare movement for people from an array of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, VICSEG now offers accredited training in a range of professions across five campuses.

Through its RTO, New Futures Training, VICSEG has supported over 65,000 learners with 95% being from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds. Students have access to simulation labs, industry expos, tailored mentoring, and strong employer partnerships to foster workplace readiness. To ensure success, innovative programs like the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships and the Second Stitch tailoring and alterations social enterprise embed wraparound supports. Practical workforce placements link learners to meaningful employment.

VICSEG is one of Victoria’s largest non-TAFE suppliers of new graduates to the aged care and early childhood sectors. Beyond this, they deliver accredited training in community services, youth, disability, textiles studies, and pre-accredited training courses funded by the ACFE Board, uplifting and empowering migrant communities.

This award recognises exceptional training providers within the Victorian government’s vocational education and training sector that have demonstrated outstanding improvements with regard to the achievement, engagement, and well-being of students with disability.

Catalyst Training & Disability Services

The Catalyst Training & Disability Services’ vision is a world where people with disabilities, particularly those with high support needs and CALD backgrounds, have the same opportunities as everyone else. Catalyst provide education and training that empowers people to achieve independence and employment.

Pre-training assessments determine individual learning and communication styles. Students go on to complete foundation qualifications including Certificate I in Transition Education and Certificates I and II in Work Education, building confidence, independence and practical skills. Learning takes place in small classes in accessible community settings with modified resources, bilingual support and culturally responsive practices.

Placement outcomes reflect individual student choice and the program’s impact. One student with limited mobility and strong verbal skills was placed in a concierge team, which aligned with his passion for customer service. Another person who loves animals, did their placement in a pet resort, which led to employment. These examples highlight Catalyst’s ongoing success in developing their diverse student cohort.

This award recognises small registered training organisations (RTOs) that offer a range of training products and services that demonstrate excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.

Civil Contractors Federation Victoria

Civil Contractors Federation (Victoria Branch) RTO Civil Train Victoria delivers industry specific, accredited training and apprenticeships to meet the evolving needs of Victoria’s civil construction sector. As a valued supplier to government departments and major infrastructure projects, they provide practical, safety-focused education aligned specifically to workplace needs.

CCF’s Civil Train engages with industry to co-deliver subjects that mitigate critical industry wide incidents such as partnering with Before You Dig Australia to mitigate utility strikes in construction, which costs the Victorian economy $2 billion annually. Their bespoke Pathways – Shaping Careers, Re-Shaping Industry program supports women and First Nations students, achieving an 86% employment outcome. Initiatives like the Job Safe, Job Ready program and mobile safety training trailers ensure accessibility to specialised training, safety, and high retention.

The passion, heart and soul employed in training at CCF Civil Train is reflected in completion and student satisfaction rates that continue to exceed industry averages. With a strong reputation for quality, innovation and inclusion, CCF Civil Train plays a pivotal role in building a skilled, job-ready civil construction workforce ensuring retentive and safe workplaces.

Harvester Technical College

Harvester Technical College is a senior secondary school provider specialising in Technology and Trade-based VET programs for Years 10–12. Operating as a Victorian Government School-based RTO (Sunshine College) in Melbourne’s inner west, Harvester offers Certificate II-level pre-apprenticeship courses in Building and Construction, Electrotechnology, Plumbing, and Engineering, plus workplace readiness via White Card training.

Centralised program delivery enables students to achieve multiple pre-apprenticeship qualifications. In collaboration with industry, Harvester aligns training with emerging skill needs, including automation and integrated technologies. The college consistently demonstrates excellence and strong outcomes including a 72% course completion rate, 79% transition into apprenticeships or further training, and 84% average attendance in 2024.

Strong community demand for places at Harvester Technical College regularly outstrips supply, with expressions of interest exceeding available enrolments. This is driven by excellent results and word of mouth, highlighting the college’s positive reputation. High staff retention and a near-zero complaint record also reflect a supportive, student-focused learning environment tailored to diverse needs.

CEAV Institute

Established in 2012, CEAV Institute is the training arm of the Australian Centre for Career Education and a leader in vocational training for Career Development Practitioners (CDPs). Offering the Certificate IV in Career Development and Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice, CEAV trains professionals across government, schools, employment services, and community sectors.

In 2024, CEAV supported 237 students nationally, with completion rates of 93%. Diverse cohorts are catered for with tailored tutorial schedules, flexible assessments, and blended learning models. An inclusive approach enables students from CALD backgrounds and those who identify as differently abled to participate, gain employment and go on to facilitate the career development needs of diverse clients.

CEAV’s innovative programs also promote equity for First Nations people. Responding to the lack of First Nations careers counsellors, they developed bespoke courses that utilised culturally safe delivery. They recently graduated 12 First Nations practitioners, which led to the development of Australia’s first Koorie career practitioner network.

This award recognises large registered training organisations (RTOs) that offer a range of training products and services that demonstrate excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.

NECA Education & Careers

The training arm of the National Electrical and Communications Association, NECA Education & Careers, has delivered accredited and non-accredited training to more than 38,000 students since 1991. As Victoria’s largest electrical trade training provider, NECA is deeply committed to current industry education.

NECA may be smaller than other tertiary providers, but their strategic culture of investing in quality training sees them punch above their weight. Innovations such as their EDGE program - turning electricians into trade teachers addresses industry shortages, and immersive technology platforms featuring digital twins, AI, and simulation-based learning means they continue to raise the standard for electrical training nationally.

As testimony to their continued excellence, completion rates exceed 88%; significantly higher than the state average. In 2024 they delivered several woman’s programs such as WaTT (Women and Their Trade) and Building Women's Careers Program. As a result, they achieved a 19% female apprenticeship participation rate compared to the state average of 2%.

Bendigo TAFE and Kangan Institute

Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI) is one of Victoria’s largest and most progressive vocational education and training providers with over 150 years’ experience in forward-thinking education delivery. As an integrated skills provider comprising Bendigo TAFE, Kangan Institute, VETASSESS, and eWorks, BKI trains over 37,000 students annually across metropolitan Melbourne, regional Victoria, and internationally.

Across nine campuses, four Centres of Excellence, and over 450 active industry partnerships, BKI responds agilely to skills gaps and emerging industry needs. It has implemented courses in battery electric bus safety to support the Victorian government’s $20 million Zero Emission Bus Trial and has trained 1,350 students in electric vehicle skills to-date. To support outstanding delivery, it has also developed a variety of purpose-built facilities such as the Health and Community Centre of Excellence in Broadmeadows.

With a student employment rate exceeding targets, BKI does not just deliver qualifications, they build futures that support industry growth and set new benchmarks in vocational education.

Federation TAFE

Federation TAFE plays a pivotal role in driving social and economic prosperity in regional, rural and remote communities across Western Victoria. This includes communities that have historically faced barriers to education and experience significant socio-economic challenges. Federation TAFE’s focus on transforming lives and enhancing communities through vocational education and training has built community resilience and provided skilled workers for priority industry sectors.

Driven by innovation, Federation TAFE established an Australian first dual-sector co-operative education model equipping students with work ready and world ready skills for successful careers. Aligned with the Victorian Skills Plan and skills priorities, Federation TAFE also pioneered the first accredited wind turbine technician training course and a sector-leading Diploma of Nursing traineeship, directly addressing critical workforce needs.

Dedicated to transforming the social and economic prosperity of its communities, Federation TAFE recently expanded its corrections education delivery, leading the development of Victoria’s first online learning capability for people in the justice system.