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Nunn better at training; Australian Trainer of the Year award

Kevin Nunn, at right, is pictured with a forestry student during timber training in East Gippsland

TAFE Gippsland Timber Training Unit manager, Kevin Nunn, is now Australia’s VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year. The Bairnsdale-based teacher was announced as the winner of the VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year category in the 2020 Australian Training Awards, having secured the title of Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year earlier in the month. Source: Timberbiz

Mr Nunn was one of seven nominees from Australian states and territories in his category.

Winners of the 17 Australian Training Award categories were announced on Friday evening via a virtual event, in lieu of the customary award night, due to coronavirus restrictions across the country.

TAFE Gippsland’s Chief Executive, Mr Grant Radford, said Mr Nunn’s win was greeted enthusiastically by his many colleagues and friends assembled in Bairnsdale for the evening announcement.

“We know Kevin was a deserving and worthy winner of the Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year award, and to go one better at the Australian Training Awards in 2020 is just a fantastic achievement,” Mr Radford said.

“On behalf of the board and all the staff at TAFE Gippsland, we are absolutely delighted, we’re proud and we warmly congratulate him on winning this national award.

“Not only is it further recognition of his professionalism and standing as a vocational trainer within TAFE Gippsland, but also as a leader in the local East Gippsland community recovery efforts following the summer fires.”

In winning the prestigious national award, Mr Nunn again paid tribute to his family, work colleagues and industry partners.

“Winning the Victorian award was a significant reward for me, but in fact, it’s always a real team effort; I work with so many talented people inside and outside TAFE Gippsland and in the forestry management community,” he said.

“Thank you again to the people who put me forward for these awards, and again, I am really pleased that the work we do in training young people to keep our community safe and in managing the local forests efficiently, has been highlighted and recognised.”

The Australian VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a vocational education and training (VET) teacher/trainer, providing nationally recognised training to students at a registered training organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO.

The full list of winners from the Australian Training Awards can be found at https://www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au/awards/2020/all