On Wednesday, 19 November, the YO Bendigo team proudly attended the 2025 Apprentice Training Awards at Melbourne Town Hall to support our trainee, Caitlin VanDolderen, as a finalist for the prestigious Trainee of the Year Award.
Hosted by the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) and Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) Australia, these awards recognise excellence in the group training sector and celebrate the achievements of apprentices, trainees, and industry partners.
YO Bendigo’s trainee Caitlin VanDolderen was not only nominated for the prestigious 2025 Trainee of the Year Award but went on to win both the 2025 Trainee of the Year and the 2025 People’s Choice Trainee of the Year awards. These incredible achievements reflect her resilience, professionalism, and commitment to learning since starting her traineeship with the City of Greater Bendigo in February 2024. Since starting her traineeship, Caitlin has shown an unwavering commitment to her role and a significant level of personal growth. She has excelled in every aspect of her work, from administrative and financial support to communications and social media management, and assisting with youth engagement and events, all while successfully balancing full-time work and study as a young single mother.
The YO Bendigo team is so pleased that Caitlin has been recognised for her excellence, a testament to her own hard work and determination. Throughout her traineeship, we have seen Caitlin grow tremendously in confidence, developing new skills and embracing every challenge. This achievement is not only a celebration of her personal merit but also a powerful example of the City’s commitment to youth empowerment. Through programs at YO Bendigo and the traineeships offered with the City, we create pathways for young people to gain skills, build confidence, and thrive in our community.
Caitlin’s story shows what can happen when you take a chance on something new. By stepping outside her comfort zone, she discovered strengths she didn’t know she had and opened doors to incredible opportunities. We encourage all young people to do the same—whether it’s a traineeship, an alternative study pathway after high school, work experience, or volunteering with groups like Youth Council or Headspace Youth Ambassadors. These experiences help you build leadership skills, gain confidence, and learn more about yourself and your community. You might be surprised by what you can achieve simply by giving something new a go.
Caitlin says,
“It was such an honour to have even been nominated for the AEN awards, but coming home with two awards was unbelievable. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported me and made this traineeship such an unforgettable experience. This has been such an unbelievable experience that I will cherish forever.”