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NSW Training Awards 2007
The Board congratulates everyone who was involved in the NSW Training Awards 2007 – all those who took part in regional events, the regional finalists, the NSW winners, and all the teachers, family members and friends who supported them.
The NSW Training Awards showcase the excellence of the NSW training system and the great opportunities that vocational career paths offer.
They are conducted annually by the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector. The Awards honour and reward the achievements of students, teachers, training organisations, employers and small business.
The Board was pleased once again to be co-principal sponsor for the 2007 NSW Training Awards.
The NSW 2007 Training Awards Presentation
The NSW 2007 Training Awards Presentation Ceremony was held on 13 September in the Sydney Convention Centre.
Representing the Board, the Chairman, Mr Bert Evans AO, presented the Apprentice of the Year award and Board member Bill Wooldridge presented the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award.
Other winners were:
VET in Schools Excellence Award - Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
Vocational Student of the Year - Tania Roberts, Diploma of Information Technology (Website Development)
Vocational School Student of the Year – Alexandra King, Hospitality Operations Certificate I and III
Minister’s Award for a VET in Schools Teacher - John Hughes, All Saint's College
Top Apprentice in the Vehicle Trades – David Archer, Automotive (Heavy Vehicle Mechanical) (Agricultural) Certificate III
Excellence in Trade Skills - Gavin Muller, Construction Carpentry Certificate III
NSW Training Initiative Award – Illawarra Retirement Trust
Small Business of the Year – Clarence Valley Kitchens and Shopfitting
Employer of the Year – Bemax Resource Ltd
Small Training Provider of the Year – Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre
Large Training Provider of the Year – TAFE NSW – Western Institute
NSW Australian School-Based Apprentice of the Year - Rebecca Kenny, Community Services - Aged Care Work Certificate III
Trainee of the Year - Sarsha Woolnough, Business (Marketing) Certificate IV
The Board was pleased to see recognition of the achievements and aspirations of Wynetta Tennie, a recently-arrived migrant from Liberia, in her award of the Phil Darby Memorial Award - Encouragement Award for an Apprentice or Trainee, first given in 2005.
These impressive young people and all the other winners are sure to make excellent ambassadors for vocational education and training in the coming year.
Winners will go on to represent New South Wales at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart, scheduled for 8 November 2007 (except for winners of the Vocational School Student of the Year and the Minister's Award for a VET in Schools Teacher and the special Industry Awards, which are NSW-only categories).
Highlights of the NSW Training Awards night included speeches by Virginia Judge, Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Education and Training, Industrial Relations, and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Finance; apprentice Josh Toomey; Board member Michael Coutts-Trotter, Director-General of Education and Training, and 2006 award winners who have acted as role models and ambassadors for vocational education this year.
Josh Toomey, a young Aboriginal man with refreshing candour and a great sense of humour, told the audience how he gained an apprenticeship with Energy Australia after having left school at 16.
Mr Coutts-Trotter graphically illustrated the value of vocational skills in the modern economy by pointing out that it would not have been possible to hold the APEC Leaders Summit without the skills of air traffic controllers, hospitality and entertainment workers and the transport and logistics industry. APEC had showcased the depth and breadth of the Australian vocational education and training system, which are second to none worldwide.
The Chairman, Mr Bert Evans AO, receiving the co-principal sponsor’s award from Ms Virginia Judge, Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Minister for Education & Training
Board member Mr Kevin Power AM; Mr Michael Coutts-Trotter, Director-General of Education and Training; Chairman Mr Bert Evans AO and Mrs Pauline Evans
More information about the winners and more photos of the NSW Training Awards Presentation Ceremony can be found at the website https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/trainingawards
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The winner of the NSW Apprentice of the Year was James Hipwell, who did his apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery - General Construction Carpentry (Framework/Formwork/Finishing)
at TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute, Sutherland College, Gymea, while working for Classic Home Improvements Aus Pty Ltd.
In 2006 he studied a Certificate III in General Construction and Certificate IV in Building Studies simultaneously.
He is now undertaking a Bachelor of Construction and Property at the University of New South Wales.
Shiloh Barker took away the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award. Shiloh is a Senior Community Engagement Officer with the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
Undertaking a Diploma of Community Welfare Work, Shiloh was named TAFE NSW – Western Institute’s Aboriginal Student of the Year.
She is now undertaking further study in the Certificate IV in Business (Governance) at TAFE NSW - Western Institute and plans to progress her studies and career further, with an emphasis on community work, research and policy development.
Ever since she was a child, Wynetta Tennie has wanted to be a nurse.
After moving to Australia from Liberia two and a half years ago, Wynetta enrolled in TAFE’s Adult and Migrant Education Program before joining Volunteer Australia.
Through this, she gained work with Unanderra Nursing Home where she trained for a Cert III in Aged Care Work.
Wynetta is now studying a Cert IV in Aged Care with plans of becoming an enrolled nurse.
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