Lilly Bright was born in Katherine District Hospital and now works there.

“I like to tell people that I’ve come full circle,” she says.

The allied health assistant was named School-based Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 NT Training Awards.

“It was a great experience,” she says.

“I made so many useful connections.”

Nominations for this year’s NT Training Awards are open until Friday 17 May.

The awards, in their 69th year, are the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade’s annual premier event.

They recognise training excellence and achievements by businesses, training organisations, apprentices, trainees, trainers and students.

Lilly spent most of year 11 working at the hospital but returned to Katherine High School full-time for year 12.

She graduated as dux of the school with an ATAR of 93.75 and plans to study medicine at James Cook University.

Her boss, hospital allied health team leader Amy Ward, says: “She’s amazing. I’ve never had an allied health assistant with her initiative and practical approach to getting things done.”

Porsche Cahill was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the awards last year. She says the award opened up great opportunities for her.

“I couldn’t believe I won. It was like a dream. I’m so grateful for what the award has done for me.”

Porsche gained a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills while working at the Menzies School of Health Research in Darwin.

“I always wanted to work in the health industry because I love learning about the human body and helping people,” she says. “I want to make a positive difference in healthcare, especially for Indigenous communities.”

The Small Training Provider of the Year at the 2023 awards was the Institute of Skills and Training Australia, which is part of the GTNT Group.

“This win is a huge achievement for our little registered training organisation and reflects our team’s commitment to excellence in vocational education and training,” says GTNT Group chief executive Kathryn Stenson. “We are excited to champion the future of VET in the Territory.

“Our team’s relentless efforts in delivering high-standard training programs across the NT have culminated in this incredible recognition.

“The win is also in part due to our incredible students – it is a testament to their dedication to their training. Their success is our success.”

There are 12 categories in the NT Training Awards – seven individual and five for organisations.

The NT Training Awards highlight the talent, depth and diversity of the Territory’s vocational education and training sector.

Territory winners will be announced at the gala awards dinner on Saturday 31 August.

Developing a strong local workforce enables local businesses to take advantage of new opportunities and support the economic development of the Territory towards a $40 billion by 2030.

A Territory business or individual can be nominated by visiting trainingawards.nt.gov.au

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
• Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
• Trainee of the Year
• VET in Schools Student of the Year
• VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
• Vocational Student of the Year

BUSINESS CATEGORIES

• Industry Collaboration of the Year
• Large Employer of the Year
• Large Training Provider of the Year
• Small Employer of the Year
• Small Training Provider of the Year