The winners of the 2003 Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) Achievement Awards are to be commended on their achievements, says VECCI.

The Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky, presented the 2003 VCAL Achievement Awards at Parliament House on Wednesday 17 March 2004.

The Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Victorian students who participated in the VCAL in 2003. They also recognise teachers, employers and community organisations that have worked closely with schools to deliver successful VCAL programs for students.

VECCI Chief Executive Officer Neil Coulson says that there are significant skill shortages in Victoria and VCAL is one way of introducing tailored learning programs to meet both student and employer needs.

"Students not only gain training in industry-specific skills, but also through structured workplace learning - this builds real work exposure and can lead to employment through apprenticeships and traineeships," says Mr Coulson.

The award winners include students from across Victoria who achieved excellence in individual studies and as a team, as well as teachers, employers and community organisations.

The Partner category for supporting structured workplace learning for VCAL students was awarded to David Nutter Ford in Berwick.

Other winners included the Hamilton Spectator newspaper, the Country Fire Authority's Hamilton Brigade, and the Continuing Education Centre in Bendigo.

"VECCI strongly supports the VCAL and we look forward to its continuing success in the years ahead," says Mr Coulson.

VECCI are sponsors of the VCAL Achievement Awards 2003.

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