17 June, 2019

A young agricultural vehicle mechanic from Hay has pulled off a stunning victory in the region’s most prestigious training awards event.

TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga student Evan Gargaro was on Friday night honoured with the Apprentice of the Year crown at the 2019 Riverina Training Awards at the Rules Club in Wagga Wagga.

TAFE NSW students claimed four of the six awards on offer at the Training Services NSW event.

Mr Gargaro, a mechanic with Hutcheon and Pearce, said the award was a testament to his passion for the industry and the support of TAFE NSW and Hutcheon and Pearce.

“This is just unreal … I’m so honoured,” Mr Gargaro said.

“It’s a great feeling to be judged the best apprentice in the region and it all comes down to the training you receive and who you work for.

“I can’t thank my teachers at TAFE NSW or my bosses at Hutcheon and Pearce enough.”

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Kerry Penton commended the winners for setting a benchmark in their chosen areas of study and helping inspire other students to follow suit.

“These awards recognise the region’s most passionate, industrious and skilful students, and the result is a glowing endorsement for the quality of education and training provided by TAFE NSW,” Ms Penton said.

“I have no doubt these students will go on to forge highly successful careers and will be wonderful ambassadors for TAFE NSW.”

Ms Penton said the awards success exemplified the commitment of TAFE NSW to train the workforce leaders of tomorrow.

“TAFE NSW is proud to equip students with practical skills and work experience so they’re ready to hit the ground running in their chosen field,” she said.

“It’s very gratifying for TAFE NSW staff to watch these students grow and transform their lives through education.”
The annual Training Services NSW event recognises and rewards the outstanding achievements of vocational students and demonstrates the extent of quality in the vocational education and training sector.

The winners of the Riverina Training Awards will be considered for the NSW Training Awards, which will be held in Sydney this September.

The full list of awards won by TAFE NSW students included:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year - Patricia Espie-Whitburn
• Apprentice of the Year - Evan Gargaro
• Trainee of the Year - Samuel Heffernan
• Vocational Education Training Student of the Year - Clare Gibbs

To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW for semester two, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.