Victorian Training Award 2025 winners announced

Congratulations to the winners of the Victorian Training Awards 2025!

The awards recognise excellence across the state’s vocational education and training sector.

They celebrate the outstanding achievements of:

• students
• teachers
• employers
• training providers.

This year, there were 37 finalists across 14 categories.

The Apprentice of the Year is Amber Leyshan. Amber is doing an apprenticeship in boilermaking at AGL Energy while training at TAFE Gippsland. Amber is an advocate for women in trades. She recently represented Victoria at the WorldSkills Australia national competition.

The Trainee of the Year is Rebecca Gibson. Rebecca studies civil construction supervision and has excelled in her traineeship. She’s an advocate for the inclusion of women in construction.

Bendigo Kangan Institute, catalyst training and disability services, Civil Contractors Federation Victoria and VICSEG New Futures were the winners in the training provider categories.

The Outstanding Achievement in the TAFE and Skills Sector Award went to Margaret O'Rourke OAM. Margaret received this award for her years of excellent leadership within the vocational education sector.

Award winners receive $5,000 prize money, and many will go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin later this year.

The event is hosted by the Victorian Skills Authority. It is supported by principal partner Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia and Apprenticeship Employment Network.

View all 2025 Victorian Training Awards winners and finalists.