Andrew Leigh

The Australian Training Awards are on tomorrow night and we have two terrific finalists from the Fraser electorate.

SENATOR THE HON CHRIS EVANS

Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research

Leader of the Government in the Senate

DR ANDREW LEIGH MP

Member for Fraser

MEDIA RELEASE

14 November 2012



Local finalists for the Australian Training Awards

Local company Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) and Aranda’s Sara Burke have been named as finalists for the 2012 Australian Training Awards.

AIE is a finalist in the Small Training Provider of the Year category while Sara Burke is a finalist for the Australian Apprentice of the Year award.

Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh said he was very pleased with the nominations.

“Ms Burke is an outstanding ambassador for the ACT and is a great example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication,” Dr Leigh said.

“The Academy of Interactive Entertainment provides training for a unique industry with many graduates going on to work for world leading companies.

“I wish our finalists the best of luck for the Australian Training Awards.”

Ms Burke, a hairdresser at La Bimbi Hair, completed a Certificate III in Hairdressing with the Canberra Institute of Technology. The Aranda resident won the 2010 and 2011 Australian Hair Expo Apprentice of the Year award. Ms Burke also volunteers to assist the Leukaemia Foundation and the Canberra Blind Society by donating proceeds from her work at fashion parades and runway shoots.

AIE has earned national recognition as Australia’s leading educator for the computer game development and 3D digital industries since its establishment in 1996. AIE offers nationally recognised qualifications from certificate through to the advance diploma levels and has won many state and national training awards.

Federal Minister for Skills Senator Chris Evans congratulated the finalists.

“These prestigious Awards are the peak, national awards for vocational education and training recognising innovation and excellence in the skills sector,” Senator Evans said.

“Being a finalist is a tremendous achievement with each nominee demonstrating personal drive and dedication to their own and to others’ vocational skills development.

“For individuals, skills are the passport to a better job, a bigger pay packet and a more rewarding working life. For businesses, skilled workers are the critical ingredient for sustained success.

“I congratulate Ms Burke and the Academy of Interactive Entertainment on behalf of the ACT community whose economy is benefitting from their skills and ongoing commitment to training.”

The 2012 Australian Training Awards will be held on 16 November 2012 in Melbourne.

To view all the 2012 Australian Training Awards finalists, visit:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/Awards/AustralianTrainingAwards/Pages/2012ATAFinalists.aspx