Winner – 2022 Victorian School Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Skillinvest Trainee Jaynaya Miller takes out top award at Victorian Training Awards.

On Saturday 10 September, winners of the 2022 Victorian Training Awards were announced at a live gala event, celebrating the Vocational Education and Training sector’s ongoing commitment, resilience, and innovations.

Victorian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year was awarded to Skillinvest Trainee Jaynaya Miller.

Entries in the award category were narrowed down to three finalists with Jaynaya taking out the top award.

Jaynaya was presented with her award at the Victorian Training Awards Ceremony at Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre joined by her family and Skillinvest representatives.

Jaynaya completed a Skillinvest School Based Traineeship through Victoria Police last year, qualifying her with a Certificate III in Business.

As a part of her traineeship, Jaynaya worked at the Warrnambool Police Station under the program funded by Jobs Victoria, which was specifically designed for Indigenous students to obtain valuable on-the-job experience by working in a local police station.

Jaynaya said she was in complete shock when she heard her name announced over the speaker.

“I felt super proud and knew that all my hard work was starting to pay off as I was walking up. I remember thinking about how this would give so many Aboriginal kids the confidence to do whatever they want,” she said.

Jaynaya said some of the most valuable things she took out of her traineeship were the friendships she formed along the way, and the amazing experiences that led to her, not only knowing what she wanted to do with her future but, most importantly finding herself.

“I would 100 percent recommend this experience to someone else. This has changed my life and set me up for my future. Knowing that I am only 18 and already have a Certificate III in Business and working on my Certificate IV in Business is unbelievable. I have had nothing but the best experiences and would love if more people could as well.”

Jaynaya is now completing a Certificate IV in Business Administration through a Skillinvest traineeship at Lendlease Building Contractors in Melbourne, on a Big Build Project.

Skillinvest Chief Executive Officer Darren Webster congratulated Jaynaya and said the organisation was very proud of her achievement.

“Jaynaya has demonstrated great drive and determination. While completing this traineeship she was juggling school and two jobs, as well as the challenges that Covid 19 presented, all while achieving at a high standard,” he said.

“The Skillinvest Vic Police School Based Traineeship Program, funded by Jobs Victoria has seen young Indigenous students achieve wonderful outcomes, and Jaynaya’s achievement confirms the pathway can lead to a range of promising opportunities.”

Jaynaya will go on to represent Victoria at the National Awards later this year.

Read full interview with Jaynaya here

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