An Ai Group Apprentice and Trainee Centre (Ai Group ATC) trainee was announced as the winner of a top industry award last night.
Wendy Clark, who completed a Cert lll in Individual Support (Ageing) to become a qualified Personal Care Assistant, was named as the recipient of the Inspiration Award at the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) Victorian Awards 2024.
Accepting the award, the mother of seven and grandmother of six, who was also shortlisted for Trainee of the Year, thanked Ai Group ATC and said she was “so appreciative” of all those who had supported her.
Wendy, pictured with Victoria's Minister for Skills and TAFE, Gayle Tierney, balanced her studies with shift work and significant family responsibilities.
“Completing the course was transformative,” Wendy said.
“My training journey equipped me with the confidence to influence others positively, while working in a team taught me the value of collaboration and continuous learning.
“Throughout the traineeship, I received ongoing and wonderful support from my employer, Ai Group Apprentice & Trainee Centre, and, in particular, my mentor, Frances Constable.”
Frances, pictured below with Wendy, was among many from Ai Group ATC who attended the gala ceremony in Melbourne to cheer Wendy on.
When judges announced finalists last month, they said Wendy’s exceptional dedication, commitment and passion for her training set her apart from her peers.
“Wendy's unwavering drive and enthusiasm for learning has made her a shining example in the field,” they added.
“Her remarkable journey is an inspiration to all, and her tenacity and determination to overcome adversity have earned her a place as a finalist in the Inspiration Award: Overcoming Adversity category.”
The night was also exciting for Ai Group ATC, which was shortlisted for the GTO Service Excellence Award for its Jobs Victoria Manufacturing Skills Project.
The AEN Victorian Awards celebrate excellence and outstanding achievements in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
And the winner is . . . see the moment Wendy was named as the recipient of the AEN Victorian Awards 2024 Inspiration Award.
Wendy Larter is Communications Manager at the Australian Industry Group. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a reporter, features writer, contributor and sub-editor for newspapers and magazines including The Courier-Mail in Brisbane and Metro, the News of the World, The Times and Elle in the UK.
