Cairns-based Youth Worker Kayla Gagai has been named the 2025 Australian Trainee of the Year, completing a sweep of regional, state and national honours.

The announcement was made at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin and recognises her training achievements and on-the-job performance during her Youth Work traineeship with Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG).

Ms Gagai first came to VPG as a participant after finishing school, seeking support to enter the workforce.

She returned in 2022 as a Business Administration Trainee, later moving into a Youth Support Traineeship while completing a Certificate IV in Youth Work through TAFE Queensland.

Ms Gagai said she draws on her experience as a former participant to support the young people she now works with.

"I was in their shoes once, and so to be on the other side of the table as a youth worker helping young people succeed, that's what drives me," she said.

"Being a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman, representation in the workplace matters.

"I wanted to be that familiar face for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth who came into VPG."

The 25 year-old facilitates VPG programs including Respect Me, a respectful relationships program in schools and Ready for Work, which prepares young people for employment.

She is also part of VPG's First Nations Leadership Team, contributing to culturally safe practice and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ms Gagai said her focus is always on the needs of young people.

"Young people are the future of our workforce, and we need places like VPG, and people like me who put young people first," she said.

"I go above and beyond for every young person I work with. Not because I have to, but because I care."

She added her traineeship also helped her overcome personal challenges, including a fear of public speaking.

"I read a quote once that said, 'you need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable, otherwise how do you grow.' That shifted my mindset a lot," she said.

"VPG believed in me and gave me the space to grow. It started with shadowing a senior team member, then delivering parts of a session with them, to now delivering an entire program from start to finish on my own."

VPG supported her studies by giving her a designated workday for training and ongoing guidance while completing her Certificate IV with TAFE.

VPG chief executive Maryanne Tranter said Kayla's national recognition reflects her dedication and the strong impact she has on young people.

"We are incredibly proud of Kayla and everything she has achieved," Ms Tranter said.

"From day one, she brought warmth, authenticity, and a deep commitment to supporting young people. Watching her grow over the years has been inspiring.

"Kayla's success is also a reminder of why traineeships matter."

Ms Gagai said the award was a reminder of her growth through the traineeship.

"I never expect recognition for anything I do because when you're doing what you love every day, you don't need to be reminded," she said.

"But this recognition was a really beautiful reminder of the journey - and I couldn't have done it without VPG backing me every step of the way.

"For me, it's not about the destination, but the journey you take to get there, and who walks alongside you. That's what makes it meaningful."

She celebrated the milestone in Darwin with her colleague and friend Ryhanna Mundraby, former trainee Cedella McGrady and her sister.

"It's an amazing achievement; I'm still pinching myself that I won it," she said.

Kayla will now continue her work with VPG while representing vocational education pathways as the 2025 Australian Trainee of the Year.