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