Community Colleges Australia (CCA) has launched its second annual “Community Education Trainer of the Year” Awards, which celebrates the work and underlines the importance of Australian adult and community education (ACE) trainers and teachers. Nominations are now open.
“CCA is proud of the many thousands of Australian ACE trainers and teachers, who motivate, inspire, mentor and guide their students to learn new skills and grow professionally and personally, reaching economic, social and community life objectives. Trainers are the ‘cutting edge’ of ACE education and training, as they support and facilitate increased student confidence and learning, bringing to bear their own substantial life, industry, teaching and other professional experience,” said CCA CEO, Dr Don Perlgut.
The CCA Community Education Trainer of the Year Awards complements and expands the successful Student of the Year Awards, which reflect the diversity of the Australian ACE sector, and the importance of the personalised attention that ACE trainers give their students. The Trainer of the Year Award will reinforce, continue and deepen these traditions.
CCA has opened nominations for the 2023 Awards, with a closing date of Tuesday 15 August 2023. CCA welcomes nominations from all Australian ACE providers, not only from member organisations.
The 2023 Trainer of the Year Awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday 10 October, at the Hotel Amora Jamison Sydney, during the Gala dinner of the CCA 2023 National Conference. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners and finalists (to be determined, depending on funding).
Nominations for the 2023 Trainer of the Year Award are open to those have taught or trained students, in a paid capacity, in at least one course of study at an Australian not-for-profit ACE organisation during the 13 month period through 16 July 2022 through 15 August 2023. Courses of study can be VET accredited or non-accredited (including pre-accredited or pre-vocational). Nominees must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia.
Judging criteria include (1) excellence and initiatives; (2) learner needs and focus; (3) commitment to teaching and learning; and (4) links with community and industry.
More details: Go to CCA 2023 Trainer of the Year Awards web page, where you can find details of judging criteria, a downloadable (Word) nomination form and the Awards terms and conditions (PDF).
2022 Trainer of the Year Awards: CCA ran its first Trainer of the Year Awards in 2022; read about last year's winners and finalists here.
The Community Education Trainer of the Year Award Logo (above and below) is based on the concept of nurturing and growing a seed. The seed metaphorically represents the student/trainee, and the trainer helps to expand the seed’s life experience as the student/trainee matures and grows, with skills and knowledge as the catalyst for growth and development.
Pictured below (L to R): David Collins, Executive Director, Training Services NSW; Karita Crossman, Central Coast Community College (CCCC); Sharon Smith, HVTC/CCCC; Peter Wilson, 2022 Trainer of the Year Awards winner, CCCC; and Debbie Laarkamp, CCCC - taken at the Awards ceremony in Sydney on 13 September 2022.
