A local teacher who has taken out a big national award says she’s humbled by the honour.
Suzanne Brandstater, who teaches at Picton High School, took out the national achievement award at this year’s Australian Training Awards.
Ms Brandstater was presented with her award at a special ceremony held in Canberra last week that was dedicated to the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
The award was recognition of her “hard work and dedication’’.
One of the first people to congratulate her was the Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor.
“It is great to see our local teachers being recognised like this on the national stage,’’ he said.
“Suzanne has been an inspiration to her students thanks to her work at the VET Entertainment Industry course at Picton High School, ensuring that students put their skills into practice in authentic environments,” Mr Taylor said.
“In pursuing this vision for her students, she has engaged the wider Picton community, building relationships with a variety of individuals, organisations and workplaces.’’
Ms Brandstater said she was “incredibly humbled” to receive this award.
“There are so many great teachers, so I feel it was a real honour to be chosen,” she said.
Mr Taylor said Ms Brandstater’s award was proof that the VET sector was world class and providing real skills for real careers to local graduates, apprentices and trainees.
Now in its 24th year, the Australian Training Awards are the peak, national awards for VET and celebrate the outstanding contribution of VET graduates, training providers and employers to skilling Australia.
The awards coincided with the launch of a new initiative to champion the benefits of VET, real skills for real careers.
“The fact is that VET qualifications lead to successful, meaningful, professional careers with great salaries and outstanding career prospects,” Mr Taylor said.
“These awards celebrate the exceptional achievements of those in our VET system, recognising the students, apprentices, teachers, employers and training organisations that make a difference.
“It also is fantastic to see women in a large number of fields take out so many awards and is testament to the versatility of the sector,” the Hume MP said.
