TAFE Queensland International training provider of the year

The Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, recognising individuals, businesses and registered training organisations for their contribution to skilling Australia.

TAFE Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mary Campbell said the award recognises TAFE Queensland’s achievements in providing high-quality vocational education and training products and services to students, businesses and Government partners from more than 90 countries.

“The award is a significant achievement and showcases TAFE Queensland’s commitment and capability to change lives all around the world,” Mrs Campbell said.

“We are Queensland's largest, most experienced training provider delivering practical, industry-relevant training to more than 110,000 students each year and this award is a wonderful acknowledgement of our ability to provide customised skilling solutions both domestically and internationally,” she said.

TAFE Queensland graduate Federica Lunato, from Italy, landed a role as a commis chef at Spicers Clovelly’s prestigious hatted restaurant The Long Apron just six months in to her 18-month qualification.

“I’m so happy with the decision I made to study with TAFE Queensland; it really has been a life-changing opportunity for me,” Ms Lunato said.

“I’m so grateful for the support my teachers gave me throughout my studies and the opportunities that have been presented to me. They taught me a lot of skills that I will carry with me throughout my career, and they really pushed me to achieve the best I could,” she said.

According to the International Education and Training Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016-2026, international education and training is Queensland’s second largest services export after tourism and is the state’s fastest growing export sector.

In 2018, TAFE Queensland commissioned KPMG to develop a report to calculate the organisation's impact to the Queensland economy and evaluate how it supported industries and communities throughout the state.

“The report found that through our inbound and outbound students, TAFE Queensland’s international students contribute $125 million of value back in to the Queensland economy,” Mrs Campbell said.

“We’ve dedicated resources to developing business with governments and enterprises across the globe and recruit international students from over 90 countries, resulting in great benefits for Queensland,” she said.

Mrs Campbell said TAFE Queensland is excelling in international markets; delivering high-quality educational programs and consultancy services to enhance the capacity of workforces, government departments and individuals around the world.

“Our international engagement has resulted in a number of successful arrangements, including the Asia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) and the Shanghai Polytechnic College. These in-country arrangements also provide opportunities for our staff to access valuable global learning and teaching experiences,” she said.

Since 2007, TAFE Queensland has operated as a training partner with the APTC, contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Pacific by training more than 13,800 students.

“TAFE Queensland has over two decades of proven experience working in collaboration with an international network of businesses, government agencies, and educational institutes,” Mrs Campbell said.

“As a managing contractor for APTC, TAFE Queensland is responsible for continuing APTC’s delivery of the Australian Government’s vision to enhance prosperity in the Pacific through a more skilled, inclusive and productive workforce,” she said.

In 2019, TAFE Queensland celebrates 137 years of delivering quality education and training services to Queensland communities and industry partners, both locally and internationally.

“We are committed to delivering high quality, practical, hands-on industry-relevant education and training services to our communities and industry partners,” Mrs Campbell said.

“We have a highly experienced workforce dedicated to delivering best practice and innovative training that provides real employment outcomes for our students and employers.

“In the coming year, we will continue to focus on our students, communities and industry partners to provide people around the world with access to training and skills to equip them for the jobs of the future,” she said.

For more information about the awards, visit australiantrainingawards.gov.au.

Images supplied by the Australian Training Awards.