A former Young HSC student forced to abandon his studies due to a battle with mental health has urged last year’s local HSC students “not to despair” if they didn’t get the ATAR they wished for.

A Young woman who made a mid-life career switch to an industry where jobs are plentiful and the work rewarding has declared it the “best decision I’ve ever made”.

For Ally Smith, watching a client walk out of the salon with an extra bounce in their step is the ultimate job satisfaction.

Emma Godsell has stood above her male colleagues and claimed a prestigious TAFE NSW award, despite being in an overwhelmingly make-dominated trade.