The New England has proven itself a training powerhouse as the top performing region at this year’s State Training Awards in Sydney.
Aaliyah Morley (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Award), Elizabeth King (VET in Schools) and Molly Smith (School-Based Apprentice/Trainee) took first place in their Award Categories, showing how it is done in the North West.
“I am still in disbelief it hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Molly Smith, School Based Trainee/Apprentice of the Year in NSW.
“I didn’t think I would make it that far and when I was standing on stage it never even crossed my mind that I would win, and the people I was up against have such amazing stories and have done so much, I just thought no way.”
“I would like to thank Ally and Simone, my TAFE teachers, Belinda from Tamworth Base Hospital, my educator who came down to Sydney with me, and of course my family for all of their support.”
What’s Next?
Aaliyah Morely and Molly Smith will continue their journey, vying for a spot at the National Training Awards. The ladies will go through another round of interviews and a process and a week of development training before the finalists are announced.
Meanwhile, the VET in School category ends at the State Title, with Elizabeth to keep the title, her winning smile and a bright future ahead.
The National Training Awards will be held in November in Hobart.
Women Sweep Top Honours at the 2023 Training Awards
This year’s awards have seen an unprecedented number of women taking out all of the individual student awards.
NSW Deputy Premier, Minister for Skills, and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the winners have gone above and beyond in their fields.
“These amazing women are challenging the notion of male-dominated trades and are spearheading the way for other women to enter non-traditional industries,” she said.
“They are showcasing the boundless opportunities vocational education and training can offer.”
The 2023 NSW Training Awards Individual Winners
| Award Category | Winner | Qualification | Region |
| Vocational | Tracie Wood | Diploma of Project Management | North Coast |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander | Aaliyah Morley | Certificate III in School-Based Education Support | New England |
| VET in Schools | Elizabeth King | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | New England |
| School-Based Apprentice/Trainee | Molly Smith | Certificate III in Health Services Assistance | New England |
| VET Trainer/Teacher | Colin Taranto | Timber System Design / Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture | North Coast |
| Trainee | Bridie Searle | Certificate IV in Project Management Practice | Central and Northern Sydney |
| Apprentice | Caroline Morris | Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade | Western NSW |
| Women in Trades | Celina Pellett | Certificate III in Agriculture (Dairy Production) | Hunter and Central Coast |
The 2023 NSW Training Awards – Organisational Winners
| Award Category | Winner |
| Industry Collaboration Award | Coates Hire and Local Government NSW |
| Small Employer of the Year | Flow Smart Pty Ltd |
| Large Employer of the Year | Transdev Australasia Pty Ltd |
| Small Training Provider of the Year | Fireground Pty Ltd |
| Large Training Provider of the Year | Enterprise & Training Company |
For more information please read our previous story in the lead up to the NSW Training Awards: New England Region’s Best off to the State Training Award Finals | New England Times (netimes.com.au)