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Blogs (Media Centre)

TAFE NSW students win big at 2019 Hunter Training Awards

TAFE NSW

Three local TAFE NSW students were announced as award winners at the prestigious Hunter Regional Training Awards Presentation Event on Friday night, held at NEX.

They won half of a possible six individual awards on offer at the Training Services NSW event:

  • School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Katherine Hooper from Islington
  • Apprentice of the Year - Jacob Linton from Bishop’s Bridge
  • Trainee of the Year - Kaitlin Smith from Farley

Another dozen local TAFE NSW students were named as finalists.

Katherine is studying a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance at TAFE NSW Newcastle and working at the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital.

She said, “I am overwhelmed and honoured to win and cannot thank enough everyone who supported me.”

“My TAFE NSW experience has been absolutely amazing. Everyone has been very supportive and the teachers go above and beyond to make sure we do our best.

“My career goal is definitely medicine. After I complete my course I want to study to be a registered nurse and then work for Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). My longer term goal is nuclear medicine.”

Jacob completed his Certificate III in Electrotechnology after entering the awards, and has moved on to study an Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering at TAFE NSW Newcastle while working for AGL.

He said, “It’s been a long journey. I’ve worked very hard to get where I am and it’s a big honour that it’s being recognised. Without the support of AGL and my family I wouldn’t be where I am so I’d like to thank them.

“My TAFE NSW experience has been good. The electrical course is well designed and I’ve appreciated the flexibility with being able to attend classes at different times if I couldn’t attend one or the other.

“I’ve now secured a position at AGL as an electrical engineering technician and am currently training at work to be an operator. My end goal is to be a panel operator, supplying the state with electricity.”

TAFE NSW Maitland student Kaitlin has a Certificate III and IV in Business Administration, and next week begins a Diploma of Human Resource Management as part of her third traineeship with Port Stephens Council.

She said, “Winning this award is an amazing opportunity and ridiculously exciting.”

“I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to undertake my traineeships with Port Stephens Council. I would like to thank the Council and TAFE NSW, especially my supportive team members and teacher.

“My advice to others is if you have an opportunity to do a traineeship then undertake one even if you don’t quite know where you want your career journey to go. At first I wasn’t sure and now I’m onto my third traineeship with the Council and doing my Diploma in Human Resource Management. It’s definitely helped me make decisions around what I am passionate about and the career path I want to take.

“My TAFE NSW experience has been really, really good. I have thoroughly enjoyed going every week.”

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Susie George has congratulated the region’s “training champions” on their impressive performance.

“TAFE NSW is proud of the winners’ achievements and confident that the exciting learning opportunities we created for them helped develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their career,” Ms George said.

“Being able to access and continue with high quality education and training is a key factor in students securing a solid job and becoming an effective member of the workforce. Employers look for currency of knowledge and practical, hands-on experience for their employees, and that is something I can proudly say TAFE NSW provides.

“It’s incredibly rewarding for our staff to watch students like Jacob, Kaitlin and Katherine grow, in the knowledge that the skills and talents they learn with us have the potential to transform their lives.”

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 Hunter Training Awards will be considered for the NSW Training Awards, to be held in Sydney in September.

TAFE NSW has a wide range of life-changing courses, from certificates to degrees, that the Hunter region community can explore by visiting the TAFE NSW InfoFest between 24 and 28 June 2019 or attending online information sessions at www.tafensw.edu.au.

The full list of TAFE NSW student winners and finalists is below:

Award category

Name

Course

Hometown

Apprentice of the Year

Jordan Phillips

Certificate III in Sports Turf Management

Stockton

Apprentice of the Year

Ethan Linsley

Certificate III in Carpentry

Teralba

Apprentice of the Year

Bradley Kirkwood

Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology

Telarah

Apprentice of the Year

Maddison Clarke

Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology

Rutherford

Apprentice of the Year

Joel Farina

Certificate III in Electrotechnology

Kahibah

Apprentice of the Year

Benjamin Riley

Certificate III in Electrotechnology

Thornton

Apprentice of the Year

Jacob Linton

Certificate III in Electrotechnology

Bishop's Bridge

Apprentice of the Year

Jaidyn Misson

Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical

Rutherford

Apprentice of the Year

William Hammond

Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical

Port Stephens

Apprentice of the Year

Andrew Everingham

Certificate III in Plumbing

Boolaroo

Trainee of the Year

Chloe Atfield

Certificate III/IV in Business Administration

Wingen

Trainee of the Year

Kaitlin Smith

Certificate III/IV in Business Administration

Farley

Trainee of the Year

Jack Haszard

Certificate III in Warehousing

Cessnock

Vocational Student of the Year

Jed Davis

Diploma of Business (Marketing)

Maryville

School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Katherine Hooper

Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

Islington

 

Australia’s largest training provider, TAFE NSW offers over 1200 courses and many can be studied online via TAFE Digital, when and where it suits students. Visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

 

Media contact: Kristy Sheppard, TAFE NSW Media & Communications Business Partner, 4923 7784 or 0407 450 860.