The VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a vocational education and training (VET) teacher/trainer providing nationally recognised training to students at a registered training organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO.

This year's winner was Darren Scott from TasTAFE.

A specialist in butchery, Darren said it had long been part of his life, his father having had a successful butchery business for more than 40 years.

Darren is close to equaling his father's career with over 30 years as a butchery specialist and 10 years teaching at TasTAFE's Drysdale South campus.

Darren enjoys customising the learning delivery and resources to meet the needs of students from different cultures, as well as levels of language, literacy and numeracy, and is proud of his high rates for competency and completion.

"Teaching has been particularly rewarding for me," he said. "I really enjoy helping students improve their technical skills and being a part of their overall career development."

Darren is also a regular WorldSkills Australia regional coordinator, judge and mentor for retail butchery.

"Since being at TasTAFE I have not only trained more medal winners, including the gold medallist at the 2016 WorldSkills Australia national competition, but also provided mentoring prior to competing for those participants that have been selected nationally," Darren said.

Darren has also developed and delivered training sessions to scientists working on Antarctic expeditions.