VET Teacher / Trainer of the Year

Sponsored by Halikos Hospitality.

Winner: Nikki Higgins - Charles Darwin University

The positive effect weights training had on her own life inspired Nikki Higgins to train others to reach their fitness goals. This has developed into a career coordinating and teaching Certificates in Fitness at CDU.

Nikki began studying for her qualifications as a fitness trainer 14 years ago, while working part time and raising seven children. She completed her Certificate IV in Fitness and began working as a personal trainer and fitness instructor before taking up the opportunity to coordinate the CDU fitness course.

Since that time Nikki has developed her own training modules and assessment tools to deliver the course and ensure students are equipped to become professional operators in the fitness industry. In her nine years delivering fitness training in Darwin, Nikki's students have managed, staffed and run their own personal training businesses, gyms and fitness facilities.

She says one of her proudest moments as a lecturer was witnessing her fitness students receive the awards as winner and runner-up for the NT Training Awards Vocational Student of the Year for 2012 and 2013.

Runner up: Matt Deveraux - Taminmin College