Media releases

Federation TAFE’s Barbara Muller has been named Vocational Student of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the 69th Victorian Training Awards.

The winners of this year’s VTAs were announced at a special event at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday, August 18, in recognition of excellence across the state’s vocational education sector. The awards celebrate the outstanding achievement of apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, employers, training providers, and industry.

Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) student, Barbara was one of 15 winners amongst a record number of nominations received this year and was congratulated on her win by Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney. Barbara’s extensive achievements were further recognised by her peers as she took home the People’s Choice Award.

Nominated for her dedication to her studies, passion for building design and high academic outcomes, Barbara was a model student and has been a fantastic advocate for Federation TAFE and its Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) program.

She will now represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards to be held in November, which will showcase the very best in vocational education and training across the country.

Federation TAFE had three of the 40 finalists in the 2023 VTAs, more than any other registered training organisation, including Diploma of Information Technology student, Gabriel Gervasoni in the Trainee of the Year category and engineering teacher, Justin Bisson in the Teacher/Trainer of the Year category.

As Vocational Education Student of the Year Barbara receives $5,000 in prize money and a Victorian Training Award trophy, as well as a laptop valued at more than $2,000 for being named People’s Choice Award winner.

Quotes attributable to Federation TAFE Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Liam Sloan

“Congratulations to Barbara on winning Vocational Education Student of the Year and People’s Choice. Federation TAFE is on a journey to becoming the Number 1 TAFE in Victoria, and it is an honour to have three finalists, two students and one teacher, in the prestigious Victorian Training Awards. This recognition highlights the great work happening at Federation TAFE.

“Federation TAFE transforms lives and to have our student walking away with two awards is utterly amazing. All of Federation TAFE is behind Barbara and cheering her on to win the national award in Hobart later this year.”

Quotes attributable to Vocational Student of the Year finalist Barbara Muller

“Receiving the Victorian Vocational Student of the Year Award is the proudest moment of my life. I am both excited and humbled and look forward to representing Victoria in vocational study at the Australian Training Awards.”

“It means so much to be recognised for my efforts and I can honestly say without the support of the Federation TAFE community and my incredible children I could not have achieved this.

“I’d like to acknowledge the other finalists in my category and wish them all the best for the future and to those considering undertaking vocational study I would like to say, this experience has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding journeys of my life so just do it and enrol now. You won’t regret it.”