KALAMUNDA and Wattle Grove students have made it to the final round of this year’s WA Training Awards.

Ivan Tarakanov of Kalamunda and Miley Nguyen of Wattle Grove are both finalists in different categories: WA international student of the year and WA vocational student of the year, respectively.

This year the awards received a record number of applications, with more than 40 students nominated for recognition of their hard work.

The applicants are training in a diverse range of industries, from automotive and agriculture to social work and creative industries.

Industry judges commended this year’s pool of applicants as outstanding.

Ivan Tarakanov, a finalist for WA international student of the year, said winning a training award would help him find his feet as an international student.

“I left Russia in 2022 and haven’t been back home since then. To find friends to become part of life in WA, it all takes time. This award would open some doors for me and will help me to connect with the broader community,” he said.

“I worked as a dancer/choreographer and my industry was heavily impacted by Covid. By that time, I felt that screen was a chance for me to reach audiences during isolation. The more I dived into that process the more I discovered how fascinating the world of cinema is, as well as how much knowledge you need to have to create a single shot.”

Ivan also studied filmmaking before he left Russia, producing a documentary titled ‘Follow My Voice’, which has been selected for multiple international film festival programs.

He has also submitted a new music video he made with WA-based composer Valery Niazov, produced as part of his TAFE study, to international film festivals for consideration.

“I want to continue producing music videos and short films as well as documentary works. My dream is to one day produce feature films. Studying at TAFE helps me get the knowledge I need to make that dream a reality,” he said.

“It is important to bring the narratives that are valuable to our society to life. The kind of stories being told through the screen are shaping our future in one way or another.”

Miley Nguyen, a finalist for WA vocational student of the year, was previously pursuing a career in civil engineering. She said she transferred to a social work pathway to help make a difference in the community.

“My journey towards my current job and study have been shaped by a long-time reflection on what I want to do in the next chapter of my life. Who I want to be, what truly brings me joy and fulfillment. My path has gone through different roles, until I explored my true passion for working with people, particularly those facing adversity,” she said.

Miley initially enrolled in a certificate four in community services, then later a diploma in mental health.

“With a desire to engage at a higher level and make a deeper impact on individuals, I pursued a diploma in mental health and I am now grateful to be contributing to CarersWA, dedicatedly improving the lives of family carers living in WA,” she said.

“My goal is to apply this advanced knowledge in a professional way where I can make a meaningful impact on others around me. I aspire to be in a role where I can leverage my skills to provide transformative support and difference in the field.”

Training and workforce minister Simone McGurk said record numbers of students were taking up vocational training, ensuring the sector continues to thrive.

“The calibre of this year’s WA Training Awards finalists reflects the world-class training on offer through our state’s vocational training system,” she said.

“The individual finalists are fantastic ambassadors for vocational training and their stories demonstrate how training changes lives.”

The minister congratulated this year’s finalists and said she looked forward to learning more about their journeys at the awards ceremony later in the year.