MP praises Felimon for Learn Local Award

Victorian MPs were among representatives from Winslow, Mirvac and adult education provider Prace, to congratulate Trafman Solutions traffic controller Felimon Asel for winning a 2022 Learn Local Award.

Victoria’s Parliamentary Secretary for Training and Skills Nina Taylor MP personally congratulated Felimon, who won the Pre-accredited Learner (Skills for work) Award earlier this year.

MP Nathan Lambert member for Preston and Reservoir was also present.

The ceremony was held at the Merrilands Community Centre in Reservoir, where Felimon, a refugee from Sudan, studied to upskill and eventually find employment at Trafman.

Felimon spoke about arriving in Australia with his family after three years in Egypt in 2004, and doing courses to learn English so he could get a job and support them.

He has continually worked to better himself by studying at night after work and hasn’t ruled out going to university.

“In the evening after work I had to come here (Merrilands) to learn English and pick up more knowledge, build up my language to (help) find a better job for myself and my family,” he said.

“I joined the courses for a traffic controller and safety, which is a lot of information, and then I kept applying for work before getting a job with Winslow.

“It’s not easy to come to a new country to live, to work and to make friends, but I couldn’t give up – I’m still hungry for knowledge.”

Prace Chief Executive Officer Paddy McVeigh said Felimon’s enthusiasm and dedication to learning was infectious.

Paddy also singled out Winslow’s Learning and Development Business Partner Caden Hart for the hard work he continues to put in to support the partnership with Prace and provide career opportunities at Winslow.