I rise to congratulate two exceptional people in my electorate who have been named finalists for the 2024 Australian Training Awards, which recognise excellence in vocational education. Dascha Harrison and Lachlan Carey are two of 75 Australians to be recognised for their achievements and will be heading to Canberra next week for the award ceremony.
Dascha is a Year 12 student at Newcastle High School and has been named a finalist for the Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award. She's undertaking a school based apprenticeship to help her prepare for a career in child and adolescent psychiatry. Completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance at TAFE, Dasha is employed at Hunter New England Health. She's not only shining in her traineeship but also in the classroom, on the sports field and in her part-time job.
Lachlan Carey is up for a Trainee of the Year Award. Having faced his fair share of struggles, Lachlan decided it was time to pay it forward and pursue his passions by completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. Bringing his fun, nurturing and patient nature to every interaction throughout his traineeship, Lachlan was immediately adored by the children in his care.
These awards are the peak national awards for excellence and best practice in vocational education and training, and I want to reiterate my congratulations to Dascha, Lachlan and, indeed, all of the other finalists from across Australia. You are all beacons for the opportunities that are available through vocational education, and it is a great privilege to recognise your hard work and dedication. I look forward to following your careers and seeing the transformative impact you will make in our community. The Albanese Labor government knows that vocational education equips Australians for the jobs they choose, with the skills they need for fulfilling and meaningful lives. As a nation, we reap the benefits of the education and commitment of vocational education students, teachers and trainers every day. It's fitting that each year we will celebrate their achievements through these awards. A vibrant vocational education and training sector is vital to developing the skills that we need both now and into the future.
The Albanese Labor government is supporting vocational education and training with significant initiatives, including an investment of $30 billion over five years in partnership with states and territories through the National Skills Agreement and continuing our commitment to providing free TAFE permanently nationwide. So far, there have been more than 508,000 enrolments in fee-free TAFE since it commenced in January last year, with many more to come. Under a Labor government, free TAFE is here to stay because we know that this is investment in our future. That's our ambition for all Australians.
