ACT apprentice wins Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award
29 Nov 2019
ACT Vocational Education and Training (VET) apprentice Taylor Williams was awarded the "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award" at the Australian Training Awards in Brisbane on Thursday 21 November 2019. Prior to winning this award, Taylor won the 2019 ACT Training Awards in the same category in September.
Taylor gained employment at the Department of Defence through the Australian Public Service Indigenous Apprenticeships Program (IAP) and completed a PSP50116 Diploma of Government at CIT Solutions in 2018. She called this a life changing experience and said, "CIT is family to me. They have a great understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. They understand how learning impacts our identity, culture and family".
"Taylor is a role model in her community", said Robyn Watson, Learner Support Facilitator for IAP at CIT Solutions.
"She found her voice in the program and spoke up beautifully. I feel quite privileged to have been one of her facilitators throughout IAP."
People who attended the National awards ceremony in Brisbane also commented on the authenticity and passion demonstrated by Taylor during her acceptance speech.
Diane Joseph, General Manager of CIT Solutions, said "This is an exciting time for CIT Solutions and our role in upskilling workforces. To be able to deliver formal training to advance public service is indeed gratifying."
Over the last three years, CIT Solutions has successfully delivered formal government qualifications to more than 800 Indigenous public service employees across Australia.
Image: Taylor Williams at the 2019 Australian Training Awards. Photo by EventPix.