Top students named at the 2018 NSW Training Awards – North Coast & Mid North Coast

Media release | 15 June 2018

Training Services NSW Executive Director David Collins has congratulated Jake Farrell and Skyhe Hoyt on taking out top honours at the 2018 NSW Training Awards for the North and Mid North Coast region held tonight in Coffs Harbour.

Jake who studied Engineering Fabrication at TAFE NSW was named local Apprentice of the Year while Skyhe, who trained as a Law Enforcement Officer at Lismore Council was named Trainee of the Year.

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

“Jake has been a standout apprentice who has excelled in his Engineering Fabrication studies at TAFE NSW and showed fantastic dedication as a Fabrication Welder at Tweed Shire Council,”

“Skyhe has also performed strongly as a Senior Law Enforcement officer during her traineeship with Lismore Council where she has dealt with tricky situations like issuing parking fines, impounding stray dogs, and helping clear cattle from roads.

“While Jake and Skyhe are exceptional VET talents, the quality of all finalists and winners at the North Coast and Mid North Coast Awards provided a sparkling 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 young people that VET is a great pathway for a rewarding career,” Mr Barilaro said.

“They also 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 eligible students in NSW with high quality and affordable training,” Mr Barilaro said.

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

2018 North & Mid Coast Awards Winners

Apprentice of the Year

Winner	Jake Farrell
Trained by	TAFE NSW
Employer	Tweed Shire Council
VET Course	Engineering Fabrication – Cert III
Town	Murwillumbah

Trainee of the Year

Winner	Skyhe Hoyt
Trained by	Local Government Training Institute
Employer	Lismore City Council
VET Course	Local Government (Regulatory Services) – Cert IV
Town	Goonellabah

Vocational Student of the Year

Winner	Susan Knight
Trained by	TAFE NSW
Employer	Social Futures
VET Course	Community Services Diploma
Town	Gulmarrad

School Based Apprentice – Trainee of the Year

Winner	Riley Wellman
Trained by	Catholic Schools Office Lismore
Employer	Summer Co Rural Pty Ltd
VET Course	Agriculture - Cert II
Town	Keerong

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Winner	Anna McNaught
Trained by	Tamworth RTO
Employer	Alstonville Veterinary Hospital
VET Course	Agriculture - Livestock - Cert II
Town	Alstonville