Awards

OHS Education Awards

There are two national awards recognising excellence among students of OHS.

The Eric Wigglesworth OHS Education Medal is open to graduates of Doctor of Philosophy, Professional Doctorate and Master by research while the SIA National OHS Education Medal is open to Graduate Diploma and Masters by coursework graduates.

In offering the national education awards it is not the intention of the Safety Institute of Australia to repeat the academic process of assessment conducted by the educational institution but to provide an OHS professional perspective to educational outcomes that have already been considered exceptional by their own educational institutions.

Selection Process and Criteria

The judging for the National Education Awards is solely based on the specified project nominated by the applicant. Information is sought against the criteria of:

a high level of OHS technical skill and knowledge;
ability to apply OHS knowledge to practical situations;
good communication skills.

The review process considers the project report and the applicant's defence of the report in interview. If the judges deem it necessary or appropriate, further comment may be obtained from the relevant industry. In the PhD/doctorate/masters by research category it is expected that, as part of demonstrating professional communication skills the candidates will have published a report on their project in an appropriate journal which may include Safety In Australia, industry journals appropriate to the project topic, or relevant peer reviewed journals.

In some states, Divisional education awards may be offered at the Diploma level and they may conduct the first round of judging for the national awards for their state.

Victorian Division Awards

The Education and Awards Team (EAT) is responsible for developing and implementing the Victorian Division - Education, Awards, Graduate Support, and Continuing Professional Development programs.

Team Members: Cipriano Corva, Debra Burlington, Ray Curtis, Sheryl Dell,

Gary Thexton, Marilyn Di Stefano - in Pairs, share this responsibility.

VISION: To contribute to SIA being the recognised safety and health professional body by influencing education curriculum, and supporting the safety and health education institutions in Victoria.

MISSION: To contribute to the prevention or reduction of occupational injuries and disease in Victoria, by supporting the S&H educational courses and processes aimed at developing competent practitioners.

1. EDUCATION AWARDS:

The purpose of these awards is to provide an opportunity for students studying occupational health and safety and demonstrating high levels of achievement and initiative in the area of occupational health and safety to be recognised by the Safety Institute of Australia.

These awards are designed to recognise the potential in students who display consistently high academic standards, practical skills, and a commitment and involvement in occupational safety and health.

LEVELS of OHS Education Award (State Based)

Category 1 OHS courses in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector Diploma and Advanced Diploma

Category 2 Undergraduate degree and honours programs

Category 3 Postgraduate degree (inc. Graduate Diplomas, Masters by course work)

Category 4 PhD and Doctorate programs.

Selection Criteria:

The recipient of the SIA Education Award will be able to demonstrate:

A high level of OHS technical skill and knowledge;
Ability to apply OHS knowledge to practical situations;
Good commination skills; and
Professional Initiative.

Presentations are made each year at the SIA Annual Dinner in August.

Winners of awards are announced in SIA publications including the Victoria Division Journal, Safety in Australia and on the SIA web site.

AWARDS for Categories 1,2,3,4:

Student's commemorative medal (and certificate)
Membership of the SIA for one year
Participation in SIA Mentor program
Entrance to the next Safety in Action (including dinner)
Book voucher to the value of $200 (L1, L2); $300 (L3); $500 (L4)
Plaque to the educational institution

The SIA (Vic) Education Awards will be presented by the Victorian Governor at a membership presentation or at the Annual Dinner and AGM.

National OHS Education Award

Winners of the Divisional Education Awards in the Post Graduate and PhD/Doctorate category also win the right to be considered for awards at the national level.

The Dr. Eric Wigglesworth OHS Education Medal is open to winners of the PhD/Doctorate category and SIA National OHS Education Medal is open to winners of the postgraduate category.

These national awards are presented by the Governor General at a Fellow Presentation Ceremony in Canberra. The Educational Institution receives a Plaque.