Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor is encouraging eligible Year 12 students to nominate for the nation’s top prize for vocational education and training in schools.

This week the Government launched the 2014 Australian Vocational Student Prize as part of promoting the take up of high-quality trades and training.

Mr Taylor said skills shortages were apparent in a range of employment sectors in the local area.

“In Hume, the specific areas of demand are in the food and hospitality trades, with only just over 50 per cent of available jobs being filled. In the construction trades and in the resource related trades, we again have massive shortages,” he said.

“These school awards are trying to increase recognition among students of the strong career pathways being provided by high quality trades and training.

“In Hume last year we had nine Year 12 students from Young, Picton and Goulburn who made it onto the list of prize winners. I would love to see us top this number and have a spread of students from other schools as well this year. I encourage school principals to assist students with their nominations.”

Mr Taylor said up to 500 outstanding Year 12 students, undertaking relevant VETiS (Vocational Education and Training in Schools) qualifications as part of their senior secondary certificate, would be rewarded with $1,000 in prize money and a certificate. Up to 20 AVSP winners will also be eligible for the Australian Award for Skills Excellence in School.

Nominations opened Wednesday 15 October 2014, and close on 28 November 2014.

For more information visit: www.education.gov.au/Australian-vocational-student-prize.