THE HON IAN MACFARLANE MP
Minister for Industry
THE HON BOB BALDWIN MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry
MR ERIC HUTCHINSON MP
Member for Lyons
JOINT MEDIA RELEASE
Port Sorell trainee Jessica Benge is vying to become the Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year at the national Australian Training Awards on 22 November in Perth.
Ms Benge is a finalist at the national awards after being named Tasmanian Trainee of the Year in September.
Eric Hutchinson, whose electorate of Lyons includes Port Sorell, said she had done the local community proud.
“Jessica Benge is a great local example of what can be achieved when a person sets a goal and works hard to gain skills and qualifications to advance their career,” Mr Hutchinson said.
“All the best to Jessica Benge at the national finals and you have already done fantastically well to be the best in the state.”
Jessica Benge is completing a Certificate III in Disability while placed at Latrobe High School where she works with high needs students. She was also named 2009 Tasmanian VET in Schools Student of the Year for her outstanding training results whilst still at school.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane congratulated the finalist saying skill development was vital to the nation’s future.
“A properly trained workforce is crucial to our national productivity and these awards put vocational education and training centre stage where it belongs. Becoming a finalist is an outstanding achievement,” Mr Macfarlane said.
Industry Parliamentary Secretary Bob Baldwin, who will be attending the awards at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, said it would be a night to celebrate excellence.
“These are the peak, national awards for training in Australia which are now in their 20th year and recognise the best of the best in training and skill development,” Mr Baldwin said.
To view all the 2013 Australian Training Awards finalists, visit: http://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/2013_winners_and_finalists
FINALIST PROFILE
Jessica Benge
Finalist category: Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year, representing Tasmania
Qualification: Certificate III in Disability
Host employer: Latrobe High School
Training provider: Work & Training Ltd
Group Training Organisation: Work & Training Ltd
Jessica Benge has dedicated a great deal of her adult life assisting individuals with disabilities. In 2009 this dedication saw her win the Tasmanian Training Awards VET in Schools Student of the Year Award and a Certificate II in Community Services Work. Her career path in disability work continued with a traineeship, undertaking a Certificate III in Disability.
For a time Jessica worked at Giant Steps, a not for profit, independent, specialist school for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Jessica took on roles and responsibilities belying her age. She is now employed at Latrobe High School in northern Tasmania, working one-on-one with high-needs students, helping them transition from primary school to high school.
Jessica enjoys hobbies ranging from racing go karts, drama and performing, to being an active senior fire-fighter with the Tasmania Fire Service, of which she has been a member for nine years.
Ian MacFarlane, Bob Baldwin, ERic Hutchinson
