The SKILLED Technical Trades Foundation (STTF) Awards have been held with four worthy winners taking out Encouragement Awards with cash prizes to help overcome obstacles in completing their technical training.

Samuel Broadbent (Telecommunications, WA), Jarryd Ward (Engineering - Mechanical Trade, VIC), Ben Warren (Telecommunications, SA) and Nicole Williams (Telecommunications, NSW) all received prizes ranging from $900 to $5000 to help resolve issues mainly around gaining access to work, such as transport problems, increasing rental costs or accommodation costs incurred through essential training sessions away from home.

Four young people who may have been forced to give up on their training due to financial strain have been given a helping hand. In addition to the financial assistance, the awards have given them the encouragement to continue their training in order to secure a better future for themselves and their families and make a valuable contribution to Australian industry. Well done to all winners.