WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year 2020 finalists
WA Training Awards 2020 finalists
Congratulations to the 16 finalists across five categories in the 2020 WA Training Awards.
The WA Training Awards are WA’s premier vocational education and training awards program. By putting the VET sector in the spotlight, the Awards highlight the opportunities available to people to upskill or retrain, ensuring they can adapt to a changing economy, workplaces and jobs.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development and WA State Training Board would like to congratulate all the finalists for their outstanding achievements.
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year 2020 finalists
Philemon Pearson (South Hedland)
Philemon is from Poruma (Coconut) Island in the Torres Strait. He moved to Australia with his partner and children with the goal of securing a trade. He started an apprenticeship as a boilermaker a year after leaving secondary school, but was also playing professional rugby at the same time. He was told by his coach to make his apprenticeship his number one priority but did not listen and dropped out of his apprenticeship with one year left to go. Nine years later, he finally took his coach’s advice and enrolled at North Regional TAFE to complete a Certificate II in Engineering, whilst undertaking a traineeship at BHP as a Trainee Mechanical Fitter.
Colleen Little (Wanneroo)
Colleen loves cars and has always been interested in the automotive field, so when the opportunity arose to complete a traineeship through AMA Training Services at Motor Trade Association of Western Australia (MTA WA), she leapt at the chance. Coming from a large indigenous family, her traineeship allowed her to balance work and study responsibilities, with her family commitments. The Certificate III in Business allowed her to gain both on-the-job administrative experience, and knowledge of the automotive industry. She is now employed full time with MTA WA and her role allows her to help the next generation of tradespeople to commence their own careers.
Jayden Ugle (Heathridge)
A turning point in Jayden’s life was when he became a father at age 17. This life altering event was motivation to establish a long-term career, in order to secure steady employment for himself, his son and his family. Jayden undertook a Certificate III in Civil Construction through Carey Training, and enjoys seeing the fruits of his labour all around Perth. He now works at Downer Group/DM Roads and says it’s a great feeling driving past something and being able to say, ‘I constructed that, or I worked on that’.