Victorian Training Awards finalists

The Gordon Celebrates Finalists in the 2025 Victorian Training Awards

The Gordon is proud to announce that four of its representatives have been named finalists in the prestigious 2025 Victorian Training Awards, now in their 71st year of recognising excellence in the TAFE and training sector.

The Gordon’s finalists span individual and industry award categories, showcasing the outstanding talent, teaching excellence, and strong industry partnerships the organisation is known for.

The Gordon finalists are:

Shirley Darcy, Koorie Student of the Year – Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
Chris Dickeson, Teacher/Trainer of the Year – Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Ben Pratt, Teacher/Trainer of the Year – Certificate III in Barbering
Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Early Engagement Social Procurement (GEESP) Program, Industry Collaboration Award

Shirley Darcy, Koorie Student of the Year

Being named a finalist is incredibly humbling. This journey has been about more than study – it’s been about reclaiming knowledge, building confidence, and giving back to community. I’m proud to represent my mob and inspire others to walk their own path through education.

Shirley Darcy - Finalist for the Koorie Student of the Year and a proud Wiradjuri woman from the Kulin Nation

The Victorian Training Awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and organisations across 14 categories, including students, apprentices, employers, and training providers from all corners of Victoria.

The Gordon’s Chief Executive, Joe Ormeno said "these finalists reflect everything The Gordon stands for—exceptional learners, outstanding educators, and partnerships that create real impact. Their achievements showcase the power of vocational education to transform lives, build confidence, and connect people to opportunity. We’re proud to see our students, staff and partners recognised at this level—it’s a testament to what’s possible when TAFE is at its best.”

The Gordon is home to two of the three state-wide finalists in the highly coveted Teacher/Trainer of the Year category – highlighting the outstanding calibre and impact of its educators.

It’s a real honour to be recognised. My passion is helping young people build practical skills and self-belief. Seeing students succeed, especially those who may not have thrived in traditional settings, is the most rewarding part of what I do.

Carpentry and Building teacher Finalist, Chris Dickeson

Chris Dickeson, Carpentry and Building teacher Finalist,

I absolutely love to teach and proud to be able to help shape the next generation of barbers. It’s not just about cutting hair – it’s about making people feel good about themselves, mentoring students, boosting their confidence, and giving them real opportunities! It's a magnificent feeling seeing them go out into the workforce ready for anything.

Barbering Teacher Finalist, Ben Pratt

In addition to The Gordon’s three individual finalists, leading local organisations partnered with the Gordon and have been recognised as a Finalist for the Industry Collaboration Award for the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Early Engagement Social Procurement program.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Early Engagement Social Procurement program is a partnership co-designed by Development Victoria, the Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative, social enterprise gforce employment + recruitment and delivered by national builder, Built, as the head contractor for the Plenary Group consortium on the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre project.

The Gordon partnered with gforce to deliver Certificate II in Construction Pathways to gforce apprentices working on the multi-million-dollar development located at Geelong’s waterfront precinct.

Being recognised as a finalist for the Industry Collaboration Award affirms the power of purpose-driven partnerships. It’s a testament to what’s possible when TAFE, industry and community organisations align to break down barriers, build capability, and create real career pathways. This recognition honors the outcomes achieved through GEESP, but more than that, it reinforces our commitment to our vision.

Lorenzo Ernstzen, The Gordon’s Portfolio Manager Carpentry and Construction and representative from the collaboration team.

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre Early Engagement Social Procurement participants

"The GEESP program is creating real pathways for local people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to access employment and training opportunities connected to major infrastructure projects,” Lorenzo Ernstzen, The Gordon’s Portfolio Manager Carpentry and Construction and representative from the collaboration team said.

The Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre is scheduled to open in 2026.

This year’s state finalists hail from a mix of metropolitan and regional areas including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Sale, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

The 2025 Victorian Training Awards Gala will be held on Friday 19 September at Centrepiece, Melbourne Park.

Category winners will go on to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards later in 2025.

Congratulations to our finalists – and best of luck!