Wodonga TAFE Receive Australian Defence Force Reserves and Employer Support Award

Friday, 30 August 2024

On 22 August 2024, Australian Defence Force Reserves and Employer Support hosted their annual state awards ceremony.

On the night, Wodonga TAFE won the Victorian Public Sector Employer Support Award for our role in working with Reservists, Defence and Veterans. This means Wodonga TAFE will now progress to the national finals, held in Adelaide later this year.

The Victorian Awards had the most nominations of any state, with over 440. The Public Sector category was one of the biggest on the night, and we are extremely proud to have won this award.

As a provider of education, it’s our values and principles to support Reservists undertaking activities whilst employed by us, as well as Veterans and our Defence partners.

Wodonga TAFE CEO Phil Paterson emphasised the communication and care the institute intends to uphold for it's employed Reservists and Veterans saying:

 “It’s of importance we continue providing support to our Reserves and Veterans of whom we are lucky enough to call members of Wodonga TAFE. Being recognised by the means of this award, and the recent news of the extension of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for Veterans Program, is a good indication that Wodonga TAFE is on the right track to support our staff and our communities.”

Recently, Wodonga TAFE was also awarded the resources to continue our program of having an in-house Veteran Liaison Officer. The Veteran Liaison Officer actively works with community and industry to bridge the gap between Veterans and civilian life, supporting their transition through advice, career guidance, recognition of their skills and experience to formal qualifications, and more. Wodonga TAFE is the first TAFE in the state of Victoria to introduce the program.