Top students named at the 2018 NSW Training Awards – Illawarra & South East NSW

Media release | 29 June 2018

Training Services NSW Executive Director David Collins has congratulated Samantha Trotter from Mittagong and Georgia Patmore from Yass on taking out the top honours at the 2018 Illawarra & South-East NSW Regional Training Awards held tonight in Wollongong.

Samantha, who is a pastry chef studying at TAFE NSW while working at Gumnut Patisserie in her local town, was named local Apprentice of the Year.

Georgia, who trained in Travel and Tourism at TAFE NSW while working at Yass Valley Council, was named Trainee of the Year.

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

“Samantha was a standout apprentice who topped her class at TAFE every year and continually pushes herself to be the best. Her win in the 2016 National Apprentice of the Year in pastry cooking is testimony to her skills and passion for the trade.

“Georgia has excelled in her travel and tourism studies which she completed entirely online while working as a tourism coordinator at Yass Valley Council.

“While Samantha and Georgia are exceptional VET talents, the quality of all finalists and winners at the Illawarra 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 be eligible to 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 Illawarra & South East NSW Award Winners

Apprentice of the Year

Winner

Samantha Trotter

Trained by

TAFE NSW

Employer

Gumnut Patisserie

VET Course

Pastry Chef - Cert III

Town

Mittagong

Trainee of the Year

Winner

Georgia Patmore

Trained by

TAFE NSW

Employer

Yass Valley Council

VET Course

Travel & Tourism - Cert IV

Town

Yass

Vocational Student of the Year

Winner

Hayley Cayir

Trained by

UOW College

VET Course

Mental Health - Cert IV

Town

Dapto

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year

Winner

Chloe Herbert

Trained by

TAFE NSW

VET Course

Diploma of Community Services

Town

Corrimal

School Based Apprentice – Trainee of the Year

Winner

Tom Burn

Trained by

TAFE NSW

Employer

Merimbula Engineering

VET Course

Engineering Metal Fabrication - Cert III

Town

Lochiel

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Winner

Emarni Cooke

Trained by

Moruya High School

Employer

The Mossy Café

VET Course

Chef - Cert II

Town

Malua Bay