Award winners
List of winners since 1998 in the Individual Awards categories.
Individual awards category
Apprentice of the Year
| Year | Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Rachael Pearson | Engineering - Mechanical Trade |
| 2023 | Caroline Morris | Engineering - Mechanical Trade |
| 2022 | Lachlan Butler | Engineering (Fabrication) |
| 2021 | Troy Harris | Plumbing |
| 2020 | Joshua Nickl | Retail Baking (Combined) |
| 2019 | Nelson Florimo | Carpentry |
| 2018 | Michael Edwards | Electrical (Electrician) |
| 2017 | Jordan Cahill | Horticulture |
| 2016 | Courtney Harrison | Automotive |
| 2015 | Brodie Oakes | Engineering (Mechanical) |
| 2014 | Mark Hardy | Electrical (Electrician) |
| 2013 | Morgan Clementson | Baking |
| 2012 | William Peters | Carpentry |
| 2011 | Brendon Hillsley | Meat processing |
| 2010 | Garreth Robbs | Cookery Western |
| 2009 | Gavin Press | Electrical (Mechanic) |
| 2008 | Daniel Crisp | Electrical (Mechanic) |
| 2007 | James Hipwell | Carpentry and Joinery |
| 2006 | Karen Hourigan | Electrical (Mechanic) |
| 2005 | Steven Anderson | Retail Baking |
| 2004 | Eliza Taylor | Commercial Cookery |
| 2003 | Naomi Cathcart | Electrotechnology |
| 2002 | Aaron Carle | Boat and Ship Building |
| 2001 | Nathan Gore | Automotive Electrical |
| 2000 | Jaclyn Pope | Graphic Pre-Press |
| 1999 | Matilda Jane McDonnell | Butchery |
| 1998 | Rebecca Studer | Commercial Cookery |
Trainee of the Year
| Year | Name | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lachlan Carey | Early Childhood Education and Care |
| 2023 | Bridie Searle | Project Management Practice |
| 2022 | Mellanie Sutton | Local Government (Health & Environment) |
| 2021 | Megan Cox | Information Technology |
| 2020 | Emily Jones | Library and Information Services |
| 2019 | Samuel Heffernan | Sport and Recreation |
| 2018 | Tara Proberts-Roberts | Civil Construction |
| 2017 | Madison Coelli | Business Services |
| 2016 | Daniel Kelty | Telecommunications |
| 2015 | Bethany Spoor | Retail |
| 2014 | Joshua Lodge | Laboratory Operations |
| 2013 | Ashlee Hodson | Business Services |
| 2012 | David Failla | Retail Management |
| 2011 | Renee Zacher | Children's Services |
| 2010 | Gabriella Morona | Rural Skills |
| 2009 | Jacqueline Vella | Community Services |
| 2008 | Hannah Cubis | Business |
| 2007 | Sarsha Woolnough | Business |
| 2006 | Steel Adams | Local Government |
| 2005 | Scott Greenow | Transport & Distribution |
| 2004 | Jessica Lowe | Business |
| 2003 | Di Dallinger | Retail |
| 2002 | Paul McCabe | Business |
| 2001 | Katrina Bradleey | Children's Services |
| 2000 | Rachel Gully | Business |
| 1999 | Kristy Williams | Business |
| 1998 | Vinti Verma | Financial Services |
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
| Year | Name | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dascha Harrison | Health Services Assistance |
| 2023 | Molly Smith | Health Services Assistance |
| 2022 | Tahli Gleeson | Agriculture |
| 2021 | Chelsea McInnes | Hospitality |
| 2020 | Cassandra O'Carroll | Conservation and Land Management |
| 2019 | Arcadia Meldrum | Tourism |
| 2018 | Lucy Allen | Health Services |
| 2017 | Mark Doughty | Horticulture |
| 2016 | Tyrone Pynor | Business Services |
| 2015 | Brenden Williamson | Automotive |
| 2014 | Savannah De Oliveira | Hairdressing |
| 2013 | Alexander Dagger | Telecommunications |
| 2012 | Jessica Taggart | Health Services |
| 2011 | Madeleine Leigh | Cookery |
| 2010 | Alex Jones | Community Services |
| 2009 | Telecia Wehlow | Cookery |
| 2008 | Brenton Pearce | Carpentry |
| 2007 | Rebecca Kenny | Community Services |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
| Year | Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Baylun Williams-Pinkie | Electrotechnology Electrician |
| 2023 | Aaliyah Morley | School Based Education Support |
| 2022 | Jade Barrington | Business Services |
| 2021 | Adam Hansen | Training and Assessment |
| 2020 | Janaya Millgate | Early Childhood Education and Care |
| 2019 | Jemasin Joyce | Business |
| 2018 | Tarnisha Winsor | Business |
| 2017 | Donald Dundas | Plumbing |
| 2016 | Leteah Mitchell | Community Services |
| 2015 | Shaquille Robinson | Training and Assessment |
| 2014 | Jameela Smith | Community Services |
| 2013 | Markeeta Douglas | Audiometry |
| 2012 | Pamela Glover | Tourism |
| 2011 | Joshua Toomey | Electrotechnology |
| 2010 | Russell Freeburn | Retail |
| 2009 | Dasha Newington | Aboriginal Studies |
| 2008 | Michael Donovan | Engineering |
| 2007 | Shilo Barker | Community Services |
| 2006 | Alison Burgess | Business |
| 2005 | George Williams | Counselling |
| 2004 | Scott Saunders | Fitness |
| 2003 | Troy McGrath | Business |
| 2002 | Dean McClelland | Aboriginal Studies |
| 2001 | Jeremy Davis | Fitter |
| 2000 | Kylie Morgan | Business |
| 1999 | Cheryl Riley | Film & Television |
| 1998 | Trevor Prior | Engineering |
Vocational Student of the Year
| Year | Name | Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Samantha Zannes | Early Childhood Education and Care |
| 2023 | Tracie Wood | Project Management |
| 2022 | Casey Fox | Trainer |
| 2021 | Gabriella Adeline | Patisserie |
| 2020 | Jon Frost | Information Technology Support |
| 2019 | Christian Fritze | Barbering |
| 2018 | Katayoon Karimodini | Community Services |
| 2017 | Liam Muldoon | Automotive Mechanical Diagnosis |
| 2016 | Francine Ikirezi | Business Administration |
| 2015 | Sebastian Barkoczy | Live Production, Theatre and Events |
| 2014 | David Bridge | Meat Processing |
| 2013 | Tahnee Jamieson | Children's Services |
| 2012 | Susan Jarrett | Building Design |
| 2011 | Galit Segev | Cookery |
| 2010 | Heidi Scher | Training and Assessment |
| 2009 | Lisa Northam | Community Services |
| 2008 | Jill Morris | Community Services |
| 2007 | Tania Roberts | Information Technology |
| 2006 | Craig Dearden | Hospitality |
| 2005 | Sarah Talbot | Veterinary Nursing |
| 2004 | Peter Strong | Hospitality |
| 2003 | Richelle Ellis | Textile |
| 2002 | Mark Savige | Business |
| 2001 | Luke Montgomery | Hospitality |
| 2000 | Louise Smith | Business |
| 1999 | Nerida Templeton | Hospitality |
| 1998 | Claudio di Bella | Mechanical Engineering |
NSW VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
| Year | Name | Field of Study |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Michael Pfeffer | Hospitality |
| 2023 | Colin Taranto | Timber System Design / Timber Frame or Truss Manufacture |
| 2022 | Clint Giddings | Construction |
| 2021 | Erin Jacob | Horticulture |
| 2020 | Megan Renwick | Hospitality |
| 2019 | Sarah Ford | Primary Industries - Agriculture |
| 2018 | Belinda Maudson | Design |
| 2017 | Darek Figa | Animal Conservation |
| 2016 | Donna Colombini | Hairdressing |
| 2015 | Troy Everett | Bricklaying |
| 2014 | Steven Atkins | Hospitality |
| 2013 | Nicole Reay | |
| 2012 | Kathryn Pye | |
| 2011 | Robert Lawson |
NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year
| Year | Name | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Gabriella Ward | Health Services Assistance |
| 2023 | Elizabeth King | Health Services Assistance |
| 2022 | Stella Cox | Health Services |
| 2021 | Ethan Zammit | Live Production and Services |
| 2020 | Peyton Bennet | Hospitality |
| 2019 | Kelsey Commons | Live Production and Services |
| 2018 | Keiran Sullivan | Agriculture |
| 2017 | Rose Cox | Hospitality |
| 2016 | Erin Gray | Live Production and Services |
| 2015 | Glen Weller | Agriculture |
| 2014 | Keagan Size | Agriculture |
| 2013 | Emma McIlwain | Aeroskills |
| 2012 | Sam Hodder | Land Management |
| 2011 | Benjamin Costa | Government Services |
| 2010 | Bethany Hahesy | Business Services |
| 2009 | William Littlefield | Entertainment |
| 2008 | Benjamin Buchhorn | Cookery |
| 2007 | Alexandra King | Hospitality |
| 2006 | Katherine Bowler | Primary Industries |
| 2005 | Kiera Dodds | Automotive Services |
| 2004 | Katie Whitton | Business Services |
| 2003 | Samantha Harvey | Hospitality Operations |
| 2002 | Miranda Simpson | Retail Operations |
| 2001 | Rebecca Heal | Hospitality Operations |
| 2000 | Martin Sheather | Electronics |
| 1999 | Melissa McGrath | Rural Industries/Office Skills |
Organisation awards category
Industry Collaboration Award
| Year | Employer |
|---|---|
| 2024 | ARC Training and Civic Disability Services |
| 2023 | Coates Hire and Local Government NSW |
| 2022 | Macquarie Employment Training Services, Disability Services Australia and The William Inglis Hotel |
| 2021 | Allambi Care and Bradford Institute of Advanced Education |
| 2020 | Fulton Hogan and Fusion Training Solutions Pre-employment program |
| 2019 | Hunter Valley Training Company and Services NSW Traineeship Program |
| 2018 | TAFE NSW & Central Coast Area Health District |
| 2017 | Skills4Trade and Pledge250 |
| 2016 | TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute, Lendlease Barangaroo South and Lendlease Darling Harbour |
| 2015 | The Flagstaff Group |
| 2014 | Barangaroo Skills Exchange |
| 2013 | Australian Racing & Equine Academy |
| 2012 | AgriFood Skills Australia |
| 2011 | Octec Inc |
Large Employer of the Year
| Year | Employer |
|---|---|
| 2024 | NSW State Emergency Service |
| 2023 | Transdev Australasia Pty Ltd |
| 2022 | Komatsu |
| 2021 | Peter Warren Automotive Holdings |
| 2020 | Fantastic Furniture |
| 2019 | John Holland CPB Ghella Joint Venture |
| 2018 | International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) |
| 2017 | Shoalhaven City Council - Shoalhaven Water |
| 2016 | House with No Steps |
| 2015 | Richmond Valley Council |
| 2014 | Wyong Shire Council |
| 2013 | Qube Ports |
| 2012 | Milspec Manufacturing Pty Ltd |
| 2011 | Sydney Ferries |
| 2010 | O-I Sydney |
| 2009 | The Manildra Group |
| 2008 | Weir Minerals |
| 2007 | Bemax Resource Ltd |
| 2006 | Challenge Armidale |
| 2005 | Eurobodella Shire Council |
| 2004 | PMP Print |
| 2003 | ION Automotive Systems |
| 2002 | P&O Cold Logistics |
| 2001 | Datacom |
| 2000 | NSW Department of Housing |
| 1999 | Australian Electronic Manufacturing Services |
| 1998 | NRMA |
Large Training Provider of the Year
| Year | Employer |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Mines Rescue Pty Ltd |
| 2023 | Enterprise & Training Company |
| 2022 | ECTARC |
| 2018 | TAFE NSW - Sydney RTO, Design Centre Enmore |
| 2017 | BCA National Training Group Pty Ltd |
| 2016 | TAFE NSW - Open Training & Education Network |
| 2015 | VERTO Ltd |
| 2014 | TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute |
| 2013 | TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute |
| 2012 | TAFE NSW - Riverina Institute |
| 2011 | TAFE NSW - New England Institute |
| 2010 | TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute |
| 2009 | TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute |
| 2008 | McDonalds |
| 2007 | TAFE NSW - Western Institute |
| 2006 | TAFE NSW - Western Institute |
| 2005 | TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute |
| 2004 | TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute |
| 2003 | TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute |
| 2002 | TAFE NSW - New England Institute |
| 2001 | TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute |
Small Training Provider of the Year
| Year | Employer |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Fireground Pty Ltd |
| 2022 | Academy of Film, Theatre & Television |
| 2019 | Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta |
| 2018 | Vantage Automotive |
| 2017 | Learning Sphere Training Solutions |
| 2016 | Enterprise & Training Company Limited |
| 2015 | Learning Sphere Training Solutions |
| 2014 | Evolution Hospitality Institute |
| 2013 | Enterprise & Training Company |
| 2012 | Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre |
| 2011 | Equalis |
| 2010 | Western College |
| 2009 | Benchmark College |
| 2008 | Directions Australia Pty Ltd |
| 2007 | Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre |
| 2006 | Early Childhood Training and Resource Centre |
| 2005 | Enterprise and Training College |
| 2004 | Billy Blue Group |
| 2003 | Australasian College of Natural Therapies |
| 2002 | Pearsons Schools of Floristry |
| 2001 | International College of Tourism and Hotel Management |
Special industry awards
Phil Darby Memorial Award - Encouragement Award for an Apprentice or Trainee
| Year | Name | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Troy Ward | Electrician |
| 2018 | Michelle Brown | Visual Arts |
| 2017 | Carina Ardizzone | Business Services |
| 2016 | Lubabalo Macikama | Hospitality - Commercial Cookery |
| 2015 | Eh Ler Taw | Engineering - Mechanical |
| 2014 | Daniel Brown | Automotive Vehicle Body (Vehicle Painting) |
| 2013 | Monica Acosta | Community Services |
| 2012 | Bradley Grove | Engineering - Mechanical |
| 2011 | Harata Syme | Engineering - Fabrication |
| 2010 | Nathan Watkins | Food Processing - Retail Baking |
| 2009 | Matthew Russell | Meat Processing |
| 2008 | Brendan Rule | Carpentry & Joinery |
| 2007 | Wynetta Tennie | Community Services - Aged Care Work |
| 2006 | Jamie Yea | Plumbing, Gasfitting and Draining |
| 2005 | Kevin Spiteri | Engineering (Mechanical) |
| 2004 | Brian Morriss | Business Administration |
| 2003 | Deborah Wieck | Community Services (Children's Services) |
| 2002 | Lucas Archer | Fabrication Engineering |
Special Award for a Woman in a Non-Traditional Trade or Vocation
| Year | Name | Industry |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Althea Kruizinga | Electrotechnology - Electrician |
| 2020 | Georgia Foley | Electrotechnology - Electrician |
| 2019 | Karyn Downs | ESI - Power Systems - Distribution Overhead |
| 2018 | Tayla Constable | Agriculture |
| 2017 | Helene Mortlock | Carpentry |
| 2016 | Nicole Otte | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (Avionics) |
| 2015 | Nicole Paxman | Automotive Mechanical Technology (Light Vehicle) |
| 2014 | Amba Groeneveld | Stonemasonry |
| 2013 | Courtney Harrison | Automotive Mechanical Technology (Light Vehicle) |
| 2012 | Sophie Cleland | Aircraft Maintenance |
| 2012 | Shelley Blanchard | Electrotechnology |