Industry Skills Australia congratulates the outstanding finalists and winners recognised at recent State and Territory Training Awards across Australia.

The Tasmanian Transport Association took out the Industry Collaboration Award at the Tasmanian Training Awards for its innovative DriveTrain program.

DriveTrain is an industry-led workforce development initiative designed to address skills shortages in Tasmania’s heavy vehicle sector. The program brings together the TTA, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Work & Training, NDA Training Tasmania and transport employers De Bruyn’s Transport and SRT Logistics.to provide a clear pathway into the industry.

By combining workplace learning, nationally recognised training and licensing requirements into a single program, DriveTrain helps participants become safe, job-ready drivers while supporting long-term workforce growth.

The collaboration has created a scalable model that strengthens industry capability through mentoring, assessment, and workforce development, helping secure the future of Tasmania’s freight and transport sector.

Cameron Browning was a finalist in the VET in Schools Student of the Year award for completing the Certificate I in Maritime Operations through Rosny College / University of Tasmania.

In Victoria, Border Crane Consultants (BCC) was named the 2026 Small Employer of the Year, while Metro Trains Melbourne received the Large Employer of the Year award.

Co-founded by Jason and Melissa Barry and based in rural Victoria, BCC is a specialist engineering company servicing cranes and other high-risk equipment across industries including transport and construction.

With a strong focus on workforce development, BCC has embedded learning into day-to-day operations and created tailored training pathways to meet the unique demands of its highly specialised work. Training covers a broad range of technical skills, from hydraulics and diagnostics to fabrication and fault-finding.

Of the company’s 37 employees, 13 are undertaking formal VRQA training contracts, while others are supported through mentoring, supervision, and on-the-job learning. This commitment to training has helped employees build successful careers, boost their earning potential, and in some cases establish their own businesses.

Metro Trains Melbourne was recognised for its significant investment in workforce development, training pathways and skills leadership.

As a Registered Training Organisation, Metro designs training specifically for its operating environment. Programs are developed by subject matter experts and instructional designers across train driving, customer service, signalling, track, electrical networks, and safety critical operations. Preparing for the Metro Tunnel opening required one of the largest workforce transformations in the organisation’s history, including extensive driver training for new routes, signalling systems and underground operations, as well as upskilling staff to work safely within a more complex rail environment.

Workforce development is embedded within Metro’s business strategy ensuring training supports safety, operational performance, and the organisation’s ability to meet current and future demands.