TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) has been judged to be the most innovative and excellent training organisation in its development of the local logistics and warehousing workforce.

At a glittering ceremony last Friday in Melbourne, the National Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) presented TAFE SWSi with the Innovation and Excellence in Workforce Development (Logistics and Warehousing) Award for its “innovative partnerships with the industry together with its quality teaching”.

TAFE SWSi Head Teacher – Transport & Logistics, Wetherill Park College, Ed Tarabey, said this was “not just any award”.

“This award aligns so perfectly with our focus on providing job ready graduates from an award winning, industry aligned training organisation,” he said.

In its official statement on the award, the TLISC praised TAFE SWSi’s workforce development initiatives.

“TAFE SWSi’s Transport and Logistics team has built a reputation for responding effectively to the needs of industry through innovative partnerships and quality education and training,” the statement said.

“These ongoing partnerships with leading dynamic supply chain organisations such as DHL, Johnson & Johnson, De Lorenzo and Sydney Water have demonstrated that SWSi’s programs are aligned with rapidly changing and diverse industry needs.

“The investment in developing these partnerships with local employers and job agencies in the south-western region of Sydney has paid off and is demonstrated in the high post-program employment rates and the many students returning to build on their initial qualification to successfully achieve career advancement.

“TAFE SWSi is a public training organisation providing opportunities which often prove life changing for students who are drawn from one of the most ethnically diverse and disadvantaged regions in Australia.”

TAFE SWSi Institute Director, Peter Roberts, congratulated TAFE SWSi’s Transport and Logistic team on winning such a prestigious award.

“Our customer first approach means that we match the right training solutions to all our customers in the transport and logistics area,” Mr Roberts said.

“TAFE SWSi’s industry-experienced team works hard to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills employers and modern workplaces demand.

“I am proud to say that each year we work closely with our community to help build the productivity of our region’s workforce.”

TAFE SWSi is one of Australia’s largest training organisations and has an enviable reputation for providing high quality skills training across a range of the business disciplines which are vital to growing the local, regional and state economies.

More than 21,000 students are enrolled across nine colleges in more than 400 education and training courses ranging from certificate courses to university degrees and industry specific programs.

TAFE SWSi also provides training for more apprentices than any other RTO in NSW and was awarded the 2013 Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.

For more information about TAFE SWSi courses please visit www.SWSi.edu.au or call 13 79 74.

From left to right: Laurie D’Apice (TLISC Board Chair); Jon Northorpe (TLISC Board Member); Terry Saunby (TAFE SWSi Director Manufacturing & Transport Faculty); Edward Tarabey (TAFE SWSi Head Teacher Transport & Logistics); Olivia Milligan (TAFE SWSi Logistics Teacher); and Robert Adams (TLISC CEO)