Top students named at the 2018 NSW Training Awards – Hunter

Media release | 22 June 2018

Training Services NSW Executive Director David Collins has congratulated Toby Dorn of Bolwarra and Renee Keir of Eleebana on taking out top honours at the 2018 NSW Training Awards for the Hunter region held tonight in Newcastle.

Toby who studied Aeroskills Mechanical at TAFE NSW while working at Jetstar at Williamtown was named local Apprentice of the Year. Renee who trained at Australian Training and Consulting while working as a Customer Service Officer at Lake Macquarie Council was named Trainee of the Year.

“Toby and Renee have proven to be among the State’s best and brightest Vocational Education and Training (VET) students,” Mr Collins said.

“Toby has been a standout aeroskills mechanical apprentice with Jetstar and is on a brilliant aviation career path having already obtained a commercial pilot’s licence and an Advanced Diploma in Aviation.

“Renee has excelled across a range of council areas as a Customer Service Officer including reception where her supervisor reports that she has a fantastic attitude to her work and customers.

“While Toby and Renee are exceptional VET talents, the quality of all finalists and winners at the Hunter Awards has provided a showcase of our world class VET sector and I congratulate them all,” Mr Collins said.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Skills John Barilaro said regional winners would compete at the NSW Training Awards state finals in September.

“The Training Awards pay tribute to our apprentices, students, trainees, educators and training providers from all over the state and show how VET is a great pathway for a rewarding career,” Mr Barilaro said.

“They provide a fantastic platform for us to celebrate the achievements of all those involved in the success of our Smart & Skilled VET system which provides students in NSW with high quality and affordable training.

“VET offers a strong alternative to university with graduates getting into work sooner, getting paid more on graduation, and getting training in occupations predicted to have the greatest new job growth over the next five years.”

For more information on VET in NSW: vet.nsw.gov.au

2018 Hunter Awards Winners

Apprentice of the Year

Winner	Toby Dorn
Trained by	TAFE NSW
Employer	Jetstar Airways
VET Course	Aeroskills Mechanical – Cert IV
Town	Bolwarra

Trainee of the Year

Winner	Renee Keir
Trained by	Australian Training and Consulting
Employer	Lake Macquarie Council
VET Course	Local Government - Cert III
Town	Eleebana

Vocational Student of the Year

Winner	Scott Jennar
Trained by	TAFE NSW
Employer	AGL Macquarie
VET Course	Advanced Diploma in Work Health and Safety
Town	Muswellbrook

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year

Winner	Tarnisha Winsor
Trained by	Tamworth Public Schools
Employer	Upper Hunter Shire Council
VET Course	Business Services - Cert II
Town	Cassilis

School Based Apprentice – Trainee of the Year

Winner	Lucy Allen
Trained by	TAFE NSW
Employer	Hunter New England Local Health District
VET Course	Health Services Assistance - Nursing - Cert III
Town	Morpeth

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Winner	Paige McConnell
Trained by	Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst – Mackillop College
VET Course	Business Services - Cert II
Town	Merriwa