Peel High School’s Gabriella Ward has taken out this year’s VET in Schools Student of the Year at the NSW Training Awards event.
Ward adds her name to the list New Englander’s who have proudly been recognised for their achievement in their field of study, and in this case, for her commitment to the health sector.
“I congratulate all the winners and finalists at the 2024 NSW Training Awards, the annual showcase of the best skilled technicians, training providers and employers around the state.” said Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan.
“We know the economic prosperity of our state depends on us growing a skilled workforce in areas of critical importance such as housing, aged and early childhood care and manufacturing.”
“The NSW Training Awards highlights the importance of our VET sector and the wonderful opportunities it offers for a rewarding and prosperous career.”
Winners break gender stereotypes at 2024 NSW Training Awards
A female mechanical engineer and a male early childhood educator have taken top honours in the 2024 NSW Training Awards, highlighting the opportunities for those following non-traditional career paths.
NSW State of Origin women’s rugby league player, Rachael Pearson, was named Apprentice of the Year while early childhood educator, Lachlan Carey, who was forced to give up league after suffering two strokes as a teenager, is the 2024 Trainee of the Year.
For the second year in a row, women dominated the NSW Training Awards with four of the seven individual awards won by females.
The award judging panel described Ms Pearson, from Helensburgh, as a “multi-skilled, highly decorated individual and a shining example for what’s possible with vocational education”.
She excelled in a mechanical engineering apprenticeship and was awarded the 2022 Stan Gilmore Memorial Award for first in stage 1 Fitting-Machining at TAFE and followed that up by being named the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) Women in Trade Apprentice of the Year in 2023.
The 31-year-old has put her career on hold to co-captain the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League Women’s competition but has every intention of getting “back on the tools” when her rugby league days are over.
Trainee of the Year, Mr Carey, from Newcastle, suffered two strokes in Year 10 which required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery time.
He was forced to give up playing rugby league and did not return to school to complete his HSC.
But the health setback put him on a pathway to become an award-winning early childhood educator.
Both Ms Pearson and Mr Carey will now go on to represent NSW at the 2024 National Training Awards to be held in Canberra on Friday, 6 December.
The full list of winners:
Apprentice of the Year
Rachael Pearson, Helensburgh – Certificate III in Engineering – mechanical trade
Trainee of the Year
Lachlan Carey, Newcastle – Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Baylun Williams-Pinkie, Matraville – Electrotechnology
Vocational Student of the Year
Samantha Zannes, Kelso – Early Childhood Education and Care
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Dascha Harrison, Newcastle High School – Health Services Assistance
Women in Trades Award
Jacinta Ferris, Hunterview – Electrotechnology
VET in Schools Student of the Year
Gabriella Ward, Tamworth (Peel High School) – Health Services Assistance
VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
Michael Pfeffer, Hospitality
Organisational Award Winners
Large Training Provider of the Year
Mines Rescue Pty Ltd
Industry Collaboration Award
ARC Training and Civic Disability Services for their Support Employee Program
Large Employer of the Year
NSW State Emergency Service
Small Employer of the Year
Early Childhood & Co. Services Pty Ltd
Something going on in your part of the region you think people should know about? Send us a news tip or email newsdesk@netimes.com.au.