NASSSA VET Awards 2022
Georgia Samsonenko wins NASSSA Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year (Stage 2) award
The 2022 NASSSA VET Awards evening was an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of VET students across our 12 secondary schools. Families, trainers and community members attended the auspicious occasion, encouraging students to continue to strive for excellence and reach their goals. A Welcome to Country began the evening, with a performance by Kaurna Plains School students.
Congratulations to Gawler and District College B-12 student, Georgia, who was recognised and acknowledged as being a positive role model and someone who has taken great steps on her career pathway journey. Georgia successfully completed Certificate ll in Kitchen Operations in 2022, which was hosted at Gawler and District College B-12 and delivered by Complete Hospitality Training Skills. Firstly, she was nominated for a class award and subsequently won the Industry Award, sponsored by Complete Hospitality Skills. Georgia was then selected as the winner of the prestigious NASSSA Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year, which was sponsored by Statewide Group Training.
Georgia has shown enthusiasm with great leadership and communication skills. She has risen to challenges along the way with real grit and a determination to succeed.
Similarly, Laticia Cox, won the NASSSA Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year (Stage 1) after firstly being nominated for a class award for Certificate ll in Community Services, hosted at Mark Oliphant College B-12 and delivered by Connect ‘n’ Grow; then progressing to win the Industry Award, sponsored by Connect ‘n’ Grow.
Laticia is a passionate advocate for a range of causes and her genuine care and support of others will no doubt contribute to being an outstanding youth or community services worker in future.
Leticia Cox, recipient of the NASSSA VET Student of the Year (Stage 1) award
Inspirational guest speaker, Shoana Imaru, who was the 2019 NASSSA VET Student of the Year as well as the 2019 Australian Vocational Student of the Year, shared her life experience of being born in a refugee camp in Tanzania before migrating to Australia at age 11 with her family. In Australia, she learned English by watching children’s TV shows, later improving her English by engaging in opportunities such as joining the Paralowie R12 School debating team.
Having a strong desire to help others, Shoana completing Certificate lll in Health Services Assistance and has achieved her aspirations with empathy and support for others along the way. Shoana has since been a tremendous ambassador for Vocational Training and Education.
NASSSA Director, Penny Chancellor and guest speaker, Shoana Imaru
Other major award winners include NASSSA School-based Apprentice of the Year, Sterling Hansen, who is working as an apprentice electrician with PEER training. This award was generously sponsored by Liebhurr-Australia Ltd.
Sterling Hansen, recipient of the NASSSA School-based Apprentice of the Year
Elijah Day won the NASSSA Trainee of the Year award, which was sponsored by LAI Group. Elijah has completed a Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care and his traineeship is with MADEC.
Elijah Day, School-based Trainee of the Year
Other major award winners include:
NASSSA Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander VET Learner of the Year, Bailey Strangways. After completing Cert lll in Commercial Cookery, Bailey has gained a traineeship at Lou’s Place restaurant, Lou Miranda Estate in the Barossa Valley, where he continues to develop a deep passion for the hospitality industry.
Bailey Strangways, NASSSA Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander VET Learner of the Year
The NASSSA VET Success Through Adversity award was new in 2022. Students, Imari Hathaway, Ashtyn Kolin and Tamzyn Stone who received this award were successful in their VET learning, despite encountering difficult circumstances outside of school life. NASSSA Director, Penny Chancellor commented, ‘It is one thing to be determined and achieve success, but another to fight hard for that success, in the face of adversity. This award acknowledges the extra level of commitment and encourages them on their journey’.
Imari Hathaway and Ashtyn Kolin, Success Through Adversity award recipients
Industry Award winners were:
Tianna Dohse completing Certificate ll in Automotive Servicing Technology
Laticia Cox completing Certificate ll in Community Services
Stacey Ritzau completing Certificate ll in Animal Care Industries
Ali Sultani completing Certificate ll in Construction Pathways
James Wells completing Certificate ll in Construction Pathways
Chloe Mickel completing Stackable Advanced Carpentry Safety
Cody Sergi completing Certificate ll in Electrotechnology
William Brown completing Certificate ll in Engineering
Georgia Samsonenko completing Certificate ll in Kitchen Operations
Amari Hathaway completing Certificate lll in Early Childhood Education and Care
Mia Marrone completing Certificate ll in Health Services Assistant (Stage 1)
Sophie Hoad completing Certificate lll in Health Services Assistant (Stage 2)
Jack Cooper completing Certificate lll in Business
Congratulations, to all award recipients!
Special thanks to our generous Award sponsors:
GOLD
Lai Group
Mas National
SYC Ltd
SILVER
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre
Connect 'n' Grow
Liebherr-Australia Pty Ltd
Statewide Training Group
BRONZE
Adelaide Training & Employment Centre
Animals on Course
Australian Child Care Career Options
Complete Hospitality Training Skills
Master Builders Association
Motor Trades Association
PEER Education Employment & Training Ltd
Salford College & Training Centre
