Two TAFE NSW Orange students, Jennifer Boney and Clinton Larkings, have won recognition at the Regional Training Awards at Orange Ex-Services Club on Friday night.

Early Childhood Education and Care student Jennifer was crowned Vocational Student of the Year, while fitting and turning student Clinton was named Apprentice of the Year.

Jennifer said, “I was very surprised, but delighted to win. I absolutely love going to work every day in the child care industry – it’s very rewarding working with beautiful young children and families.

“To win an award for doing something that I love just further cemented my belief that I have found the right career for me.”

Clinton added, “You never go to these awards expecting to win. I was up against some really talented students so I was surprised, but very happy to win because it’s reward for all the hard work I’ve been putting in.”

TAFE NSW Acting Regional General Manager, Adam Bennett, congratulated the students for their success.

“Jennifer is a talented student who has changed careers and is making a huge impression on her colleagues working at Nurture One Childcare Centre in Orange,” he said.

“Her warm, caring and nurturing attitude towards the children and families will ensure she has a really exciting career ahead of her.

“It’s been a massive year for Clinton. He has been selected to represent Australia at the WorldSkills finals in Russia this year, he won a TAFE NSW Excellence Award for Apprentice of the Year, and he has now won a Regional Training Award.

“Clinton’s dedication and commitment to his study and being the best he can be is to be commended. The extra effort that he has put into studying at TAFE NSW, and as an apprentice at Luke Cross Engineering and Rigging in Dubbo, has certainly paid off.

“For TAFE NSW students to win five of a possible six awards on the night demonstrates the high-quality skills students learn, and exciting employment opportunities that become available when you choose to study at Australia’s largest training organisation.”

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 Western Training Awards will be considered for the NSW Training Awards which will be held in Sydney this September.

TAFE NSW Award winners:

• William Searl – School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

• Chenoa Endacott – Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

• Jennifer Boney – Vocational Student of the Year

• Laycee Covington-Gorst – Trainee of the Year

• Clinton Larkings – Apprentice of the Year

Media contact: Luke Schuyler, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, 6393 5946.