VET AWARDS

The Skill Engineer Ltd. Vocational Education & Training (VET) Awards 2024

The VET Awards shine a spotlight on excellence, honouring students who have demonstrated exceptional skills and dedication during their work placements. We also acknowledge the host employers who have shown remarkable commitment to training and developing young individuals in our community.

Nominations are closed, with winners to be announced at the 2024 VET Awards on Thursday 12th September 2024 at the Entertainment Grounds, West Gosford.

2024 VET AWARDS SPECIAL GUESTS AND PERFORMERS

Matty J Lennard – Gorokan High School
Acknowledgement of Country

Matty J Lennard is a proud Wiradjuri young man from Gorokan High School. He is a talented musician and a member of Spree, an aspiring band making waves in the “Aussie Indie” genre. Hailing from the Central Coast, Australia, and surrounded by beaches, culture, and community, Spree was formed in late 2022. What began as a school group at Gorokan High School has evolved into a promising musical act. Their debut single, “Indecisive,” addresses contemporary complications and setbacks. Matty has also been a participant in our Digi Van workshops and is an outstanding program alumni.

Liesl Tesch – Member for Gosford
Special Guest

Liesl Tesch is a dedicated community leader and a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Gosford. As Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Communities, and Disability Inclusion, Liesl tirelessly advocates for better education and opportunities for local youth. A proud resident of Woy Woy, she taught at Brisbane Water Secondary College before her election in 2017. Liesl is a seven-time Paralympian with two Gold medals, and continues to work towards making the Central Coast a great place to live, work, and raise a family. In 2023, she also featured on our MobPod podcast!

Jacob Smeaton – Regional Youth Investment – Barang Regional Alliance
Guest Speaker

A proud Kerrupjmara man from the Gunditjmara people, Jacob Smeaton lives on Darkinjung Country and is committed to youth empowerment. As the Team Leader of the Regional Youth Investment Program at Barang Regional Alliance, he coordinates initiatives like the Empowered Youth Summit and the Guyung Minig youth leadership program. Jacob’s work focuses on connecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth with their culture, community, and aspirations, while elevating their voices in decision-making.

Matt Grant – Chairperson of the Skill Engineer
Guest Speaker

Matt Grant is the Chairperson of the Skill Engineer Ltd. board, where he plays a crucial role in fostering industry, employment, training, and business relationships. With extensive experience in leadership, management, and emergency response coordination within the electricity industry, Matt is deeply committed to improving the lives of young people in his community. At Ausgrid, he leads a safety-focused team and is passionate about driving positive change. Matt holds a Diploma of Leadership and Management and a Certificate III in ESI Power Systems.

Jayden Delbridge – Founder of UrVoice Australia
Event MC

At 19, Jayden Delbridge is a dedicated mental health advocate and the founder of UrVoice Australia, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Jayden has spearheaded initiatives such as the Central Coast’s first suicide prevention report in 2019. He is a member of the headspace Youth National Reference Group and was honored with the 2022 Central Coast Youth Leadership of the Year Award. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Science at Macquarie University, Jayden is deeply committed to early intervention in mental health.

Anannya Bandaru – Founder of Kalpa Vruksha
Event MC

Anannya is a young woman from the Central Coast who was crowned Youth Leadership (Individual) of the Year by Central Coast Council and named Central Coast Council’s 2024 Australia Day Award winner for Young Person of the Year. She is the founder of Kalpa Vruksha non-profit initiative that collects fresh food, high-quality toys, books, and clothes to donate to those in need. A dedicated thought leader, Anannya is deeply committed to social causes, particularly mental health and men’s mental health. She is also a member of the Y4Y Youth Action Team, working to meaningfully engage young people on the Central Coast by leveraging their skills, experience, and networks. Additionally, Anannya is passionate music, and writing, and actively advocates for mental health awareness.

Kalen Hogan – Live Entertainment
Music

Kalen Hogan made his debut on the local Central Coast music scene in late 2022. At just 17 years old, Kalen proudly launched his debut album, Isolation, in May 2023. Keen to start the new year with fresh music, he released his single ON THE PHONE in April 2024. Kalen kept the momentum going with his next single, Right There, which dropped on all streaming platforms on June 28, 2024.

As an alternative indie rock singer-songwriter, Kalen draws inspiration from the 1990s grunge movement, with a deep reverence for bands like Nirvana and Alice in Chains. He writes and sings about the complexities of everyday life with an open heart and a keen, observant eye. His pure vocal tone has been compared to Thom Yorke of Radiohead and the late Jeff Buckley.