An event over the weekend showed the high level of training and skilled students coming out of Australian institutions.

High achievement and general excellence in the vocational education and training sector were celebrated at the 2013 Australian Training Awards in Perth.

Among the winners were Broome’s Jacky Cheng, a visual arts lecturer at the Kimberley Training Institute, who won VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year while Patrick Janes from Ballarat was crowned Apprentice of the Year.

“The future of the nation is looking bright when we have such outstanding winners across seventeen categories in the field of vocational education and training,” Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said.

The awards covered more than a dozen industries and sectors including; veterinary training, large and small employers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island educators and students, literacy and numeracy trainers, apprentices and others.

The Crown Casino in Melbourne was awarded Employer of the Year, while the South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE was dubbed the Large Training Provider of the Year.

“These awards recognise the contributions made by individuals, schools, businesses and registered training organisations to boosting skills across the nation,” Industry Parliamentary Secretary Bob Baldwin said.

More information an nominations for next year’s awards are available here.