Abstract
In a landmark moment for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, Compliance and Quality Assurance (CAQA) and its affiliate Career Calling International made history at the Australasian Entrepreneurs & Business Summit 2025, sweeping the stage with seven distinguished awards in a single evening.
These honours recognised both the organisations and their key leaders for outstanding achievement in advancing educational equity, compliance excellence, innovation, and ethical governance in Australia and beyond. Individual accolades went to Anna Haranas, Michelle Newman, Stuart Newman, Raj Kiran, and Sukh Sandhu, along with two high-profile organisational awards.
In this article, we explore why this one-night achievement is so significant for the VET sector, how it reflects excellence across leadership, governance, and innovation, and what it means for the future of compliance and quality in Australian education.
The Context – A Sector in Transformation
The Australian VET sector in 2025 is navigating major shifts, regulatory reforms, disruptive technologies, and growing demand for skills-based training, which are redefining how Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) must operate. Compliance is no longer just about avoiding penalties; it has become the foundation of quality, equity, and innovation.
In this climate, winning so many prestigious awards at one single summit is far more than symbolic recognition; it is an emphatic statement that CAQA and Career Calling have set the benchmark for excellence, leadership, and forward-thinking solutions in a changing industry.
Individual Awards – Celebrating Sector Leaders
Anna Haranas – Order of Distinction for Lifelong Service to Learning and Leadership
With over 35 years in education and management, Anna Haranas has been a driving force in bridging the gap between policy and practice. Her award recognises her enduring dedication to advancing educational equity, particularly in ensuring that RTOs meet Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) guidelines without compromising accessibility or learner-centred approaches.
Anna’s work has influenced the creation of compliance solutions that are not only technically accurate but also deeply aligned with principles of fairness and inclusion. By supporting RTOs to navigate complex frameworks while retaining a strong focus on learner outcomes, she embodies the sector’s highest values. Her legacy lies in shaping systems that support both regulatory adherence and transformative education, a duality critical to the VET sector’s sustainability.
Michelle Newman – Pinnacle Award for Strategic Brilliance in Executive Leadership
As CAQA’s CEO, Michelle Newman has redefined what organisational leadership means in VET. Her award reflects a combination of vision, governance, and ethical integrity. Michelle’s tenure has seen CAQA expand its offerings to cover resource development, rigorous auditing services, and compliance consulting tailored to the evolving needs of RTOs.
Her leadership philosophy emphasises that governance is not static; it must adapt to economic shifts, policy changes, and emerging technologies. By fostering a culture of innovation and accountability, she has created an organisational environment where compliance is integrated into every function, enabling growth without sacrificing quality.
Stuart Newman – Platinum Laureate in National Client Success and Growth Strategy
With three decades of experience in customer service and business development, Stuart Newman has become synonymous with client-centred growth in VET. His award acknowledges his mastery in designing engagement strategies that empower clients to meet compliance requirements while achieving sustainable expansion.
Stuart’s work demonstrates how strong client relationships translate directly into sector-wide benefits. By helping RTOs improve operational efficiency, he ensures that compliance becomes a driver of competitive advantage rather than a constraint.
Raj Kiran – International Award for Excellence in Nursing Education and Practice
Raj Kiran’s contribution to the nursing education space is both compassionate and compliance-focused. Her award recognises her efforts to integrate regulatory standards into practical, high-quality training that meets Australia’s healthcare workforce needs.
Raj’s mentorship has been instrumental in producing graduates who are workplace-ready and compliant with industry regulations. In a healthcare system facing critical skills shortages, her work ensures that training is not only technically robust but also ethically grounded.
Sukh Sandhu – Vanguard Honour for Pioneering Leadership in Governance, Education, and Reform
As CAQA’s Founder-Director, Sukh Sandhu’s three decades in governance, compliance, and reform have reshaped the sector. His Vanguard Honour reflects his success in championing technology-driven compliance solutions, including AI-assisted auditing and blockchain-based credentialing systems.
Sukh’s leadership goes beyond operational excellence; he has influenced national policy discourse, advocating for ethical, transparent, and data-driven approaches to compliance. His vision positions CAQA as a leader in the global conversation on digital transformation in education.
The People Behind the Awards
While the tools, systems, and innovations matter, this night was a celebration of people, their vision, expertise, and values. Anna’s advocacy, Raj’s compassion, Stuart Newman’s client relationships, Michelle Newman’s leadership vision, and Sukh’s reformative drive were the beating heart of CAQA’s success.
Looking Ahead
This historic result at the Australasian Entrepreneurs & Business Summit 2025 sets a powerful precedent. It reminds the sector that compliance, governance, and innovation are not competing priorities; they are the pillars of sustainable, ethical growth.
As the VET sector heads into a new regulatory era, CAQA and Career Calling’s performance at this single event sends a clear message: with the right vision and leadership, excellence can be achieved on every front, and recognised all at once.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What awards did CAQA and Career Calling International win at the Australasian Entrepreneurs & Business Summit 2025?
At this one prestigious summit, CAQA and Career Calling International won seven awards in a single night:
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Anna Haranas – Order of Distinction for Lifelong Service to Learning and Leadership
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Michelle Newman – Pinnacle Award for Strategic Brilliance in Executive Leadership
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Stuart Newman – Platinum Laureate in National Client Success and Growth Strategy
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Raj Kiran – International Award for Excellence in Nursing Education and Practice
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Sukh Sandhu – Vanguard Honour for Pioneering Leadership in Governance, Education, and Reform
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CAQA – Excellence in Compliance and Quality Assurance
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Career Calling International – Global Impact in VET and Educational Innovation
2. Are these awards national or international?
They include both national and global accolades, showcasing CAQA and Career Calling’s influence not just across Australia’s VET sector, but in shaping best practices internationally.
3. How does this recognition influence CAQA’s services?
These awards validate CAQA’s leadership, credibility, and innovation, giving the organisation an even stronger platform to expand its compliance consulting, auditing, resource development, and international collaboration — supporting even more Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to excel.
4. What role does technology play in these award-winning achievements?
Technology is central to CAQA’s approach. From AI-driven compliance auditing to blockchain-based credentialing, CAQA leverages advanced tools to streamline processes, reduce errors, strengthen transparency, and enhance overall sector efficiency.
5. Why is the human element still critical to compliance success?
While cutting-edge tools are vital, people remain the heart of compliance. The vision, expertise, and ethical leadership of figures like Anna, Michelle, Stuart, Raj, and Sukh ensure that compliance is not just about rules, it’s about fairness, access, and sustained quality for learners and providers alike.
