Wednesday, 30 July 2025
We’re excited to announce that six outstanding North Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE) students have been selected as finalists in the 2025 WA Training Awards. NMTAFE was also named as a finalist in the WA Large Training Provider of the Year category.
The WA Training Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in WA’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
With a record number of submissions received surpassing last year’s record, judges commended this year’s entries as outstanding, reflecting the strength and innovation across the VET community.
Finalists will be announced at the WA Training Awards gala dinner on 5 September 2025, and Individual category winners will receive a $3,000 cash prize.
A huge congratulations to our NMTAFE finalists, and we wish you all the best on this exciting awards journey!
North Metropolitan TAFE Finalists
Munkh-Orgil Arslanbaatar
WA International Student of the Year - Diploma of Business
Munkh's passion for entrepreneurship, leadership and creativity spurred his move from Mongolia to Perth to pursue training in business, which he says was the biggest decision of his life and the most rewarding. Having run his own café, launched a social media agency and taught Mongolian language to children at the Mongolian Association, Munkh has been able to apply the practical skills he has learnt throughout his qualification every day.
Saba Farzam
WA Cultural Diversity Training Awards - Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation and Game Art)
Originally from Iran, Saba says it was a global robotics competition she participated in while in high school in South Korea that fostered her passion for game design. Having completed her Diploma of Screen and Media in 2024, Saba has now enrolled in an Advanced Diploma of Game Art and Design to further her knowledge. She says the practical and innovative learning opportunities provided during her training journey were pivotal to shaping her passion for the industry. The multicultural environment at TAFE has allowed Saba to interact with peers and lecturers from diverse backgrounds, helping her to connect with industry to secure internships and gain real-world experience.
Amina Umer
WA Cultural Diversity Training Awards - Certificate III in Adult Migrant English Program
Amina arrived in Australia in 2021 from Ethiopia with a life goal of building a better future for herself and family. She enrolled in a Certificate III in Adult Migrant English Program to improve her English and communication skills, so she could undertake further VET courses to work in aged care or nursing. Amina says training has not only improved her skills, but it has also given her hope and direction. She has more belief in herself and is excited about her future.
Samira Zare
WA Cultural Diversity Training Awards - Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development (Photography)
Photography has always been Samira's passion. Originally from Iran, Samira worked as a professional photographer in Turkey, but upon moving to Perth she discovered she needed Australian industry-recognised qualifications and local experience to work in the industry. Samara chose to enrol in an Advanced Diploma of Creative Product Development to expand her knowledge. Through her training journey she has gained invaluable technical skills and learned how to adapt her photography to the Australian industry. Samira's goal is to continue working in the Australian photography industry and share her passion with others, particularly with other aspiring photographers from diverse backgrounds.
Kyen Graham
WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Certificate III in Engineering – Fixed and Mobile Plant Mechanic (Employed at: BHP Operations Services)
Having a proud Ngadju man on his father's side and Whadjuk Noongar on his mother's, Kyen started a Heavy Diesel Fitter Apprenticeship at BHP's Future Fit Academy in Forrestfield in 2023, providing him with both hands-on experience and theoretical training at a single location. With over four years of mining industry experience already under his belt, Kyen embraced this new opportunity at age 26 to expand his skills and career scope. Driven by a passion for continuous learning, his goal is to demonstrate that Aboriginal people can thrive academically and professionally in the mining and engineering sectors.
Arabella Poole
WA Vocational Student of the Year - Certificate IV in Fitness
Arabella completed a Certificate IV in Fitness at North Metropolitan TAFE in 2024, gaining skills in anatomy, client assessment and program delivery. Her journey into fitness followed a 13-year battle with medical issues, which disrupted her initial education. Inspired by an occupational therapist, who recommended enrolling at TAFE, she turned to vocational training to rebuild her life. Now she is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor at Feel Your Best Fitness and Massage and is training in clinical Pilates. Arabella is passionate about inclusive, person-centred care. Her lived experience fuels her mission to create safe, empowering spaces for all through physical movement and connection.
For more information on the WA Training Awards you can visit the website(opens in a new tab) .