Andrew Leigh

I was delighted to find out that a local hairdresser, Sara Burke, won the Australian Apprentice of the Year award last week. Sara also volunteers her spare time to assist her two favourite charities, the Leukaemia Foundation and the Canberra Blind Society. For fashion parades and runway shoots, Sara charges a small fee for doing the models’ hair, with all proceeds going to charity. Congratulations Sara!

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

19 November 2012

Canberra hairdresser named Australia’s best apprentice

Aranda resident Sara Burke was on Friday 16 November announced as the Australian Apprentice of the Year at the 2012 Australian Training Awards.

The La Bimbi Hairdresser recently completed a Certificate III in Hairdressing through the Canberra Institute of Technology. Now fully qualified, Ms Burke mentors the salon’s Australian Apprentices.

The Australian Apprentice of the Year Award adds to her impressive resume which includes being named 2010 and 2011 Australian Hair Expo Apprentice of the Year.

Ms Burke also regularly volunteers to assist the Leukaemia Foundation and the Canberra Blind Society by donating proceeds from her work at fashion parades and runway shoots.

Member for Fraser Dr Andrew Leigh MP congratulated Ms Burke.

“Ms Burke’s dedication to her own and others learning and development has been deservedly rewarded,” Dr Leigh said.

“To be named Australia’s best apprentice for 2012 is an outstanding achievement and it is very exciting to have a Canberra resident receive national recognition.”

Federal Minister for Skills, Senator Chris Evans, said the Australian Training Awards recognised the winners’ outstanding achievements and their contribution of many Australians to vocational education and training.

“This year’s winners are representative of what is possible with the right skills and qualifications,” Senator Evans said.

“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 critical for sustained success.

“The Gillard Government is committed to boosting the training opportunities for Australians because we understand that investing in a highly skilled Australian workforce will keep the country competitive and innovative.

“That’s why we have made an unprecedented investment of more than $15 billion in skills and training over the next four years.

“Congratulations to the 2012 Australian Training Award winners - they are all very deserving of their place and should be proud of their achievements and contributions to skilling Australia.”

The Australian Training Awards were held at a ceremony at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

For more information and images of the 2012 Australian Training Awards winners, please visit www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au.