GOTAFE Named Inclusive Training Provider of the Year
GOTAFE is thrilled to announce that it has been named Inclusive Training Provider of the Year in the prestigious 2020 Victorian Training Awards.
The announcement was made today via a Facebook Live awards ceremony. GOTAFE was finalists for the Inclusive Training Provider of the Year category alongside Box Hill Institute and National Food Institute.
Supported by the Department of Education and now in its 66th year, the Victorian Training Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in the Victorian TAFE and training sector.
GOTAFE was awarded the Inclusive Training Provider of the Year due to its ongoing focus in the development of inclusive and diverse education spaces across North East Victoria. GOTAFE strives to be more than just an educational facility, but a place where people from all backgrounds and abilities feel safe and included; where people feel like they belong. Through strong relationships and a focus on the students at the centre of their training experience, GOTAFE works to equip their diverse local communities with job-ready skills relevant to the North East and regional Victoria. It leads the sector in positively impacting the wellbeing of students, and has embedded the universal principals of equity, fairness, and respect into all elements of the learning experience.
"This is a fantastic acknowledgement of the work that has gone toward the ambitious transformation journey to take GOTAFE from good to great over the last two years. Our Inclusive Training Provider of the Year award win is the result of 540 staff working together to ensure that GOTAFE is a welcoming and inclusive place of learning for all people."
GOTAFE CEO, Travis Heeney
“GOTAFE is extremely proud of the role we play ensuring our communities have access to the highest quality training and education in an environment which welcomes everybody.” Mr Heeney said. “GOTAFE is widely recognised as a leader in embedding social justice principles, with our newly-established Social Justice Charter one of the first of its kind for any TAFE in Australia. Proudly, GOTAFE were also the first TAFE organisation across Victoria to fly the rainbow flag at each of our campuses,” Mr Heeney said.
GOTAFE Executive Director Education, Karen Taylor echoed Mr Heeney’s sentiments, adding, “This is an amazing recognition for GOTAFE. Everyone can deliver good training, but not everybody can do so in a way that is inclusive and ensures students’ needs are central to everything we do.”
For more information about the Victorian Training Awards, click here.