The Central and Northern Sydney region spans from Broken Bay in the north to Botany Bay in the south and includes the Hills District to the west. This diverse region is committed to developing skills through traineeships, apprenticeships, and vocational qualifications.

In 2025, for the first time, the Central & Northern Sydney Training Awards will be combining with the Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Training Awards and the Southern & South Western Sydney Training Awards to crown winners from all three regions in one Metro Sydney Training Awards event.

Key Objectives for 2025

• Supporting excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET) through the Training Awards

• Managing regional nominations, interviews, shortlisting, and feedback

• Celebrating the achievements of local VET students, apprentices, trainees, and employers

• Facilitating community participation in the Regional Training Awards
  

• Providing guidance and support for Regional Training Awards winners progressing to the NSW Training Awards

• Providing day-to-day support for all VET learners, trainers, teachers, and training organisations across the region

Key Industries in the Region

Central Sydney's CBD hosts 22% of Greater Sydney’s jobs, with a focus on finance, professional, creative industries, tourism, retail and hospitality supported by major transport infrastructure like the Sydney Metro.

Northern Sydney ranges from small business include trade-based occupations through to education, technical and professional services, with hubs like Macquarie Park, Chatswood, and North Sydney driving economic growth and global competitiveness within the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Apprenticeships in the region include:

• Cert III in carpentry

• Cert III Electrotechnology Electrician

• Cert II Plumbing

• Cert III Light Vehicle Mechanical; Technology

• Cert II Hairdressing

Traineeships in the region include:

• Cert III Retail
  

• Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care

• Cert II Individual Support

• Cert IV Real Estate Practice

• Cert III business

2024 Central and Northern Sydney Region Training Awards Winners

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Baylun Williams-Pinkie
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Trained by: TAFE NSW
Employed by: Dyirranga Ltd

Apprentice of the Year

Lauren Calleja
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Trained by: TAFE NSW
Employed by: Thales Australia Ltd

School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Ivy Hain
Qualification: Certificate III in Hairdressing
School: Southern Cross Catholic Vocational College
Trained by: Sydney Catholic Schools
Employed by: Salon Purpose Pty Ltd

Trainee of the Year

Tiana Riley
Qualification: Certificate IV in Project Management Practice
Trained by: TAFE NSW
Employed by: Apprenticeship Careers Australia
Hosted by: Lendlease Construction Pty Ltd

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Jack George
Qualification: Certificate II in Construction Pathways
School: Waverley College
Trained by: Association of Independent Schools NSW

VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

Johanne Doherty
Field of Study: Hospitality
Employed by: Public Schools NSW, Macquarie Park

Vocational Student of the Year

Remie Collins
Qualification: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Trained by: Sydney Design School
Employed by: Black Sheep Interior Design Pty Ltd

Notable Alumni

2024 State Winner and Australian Training Awards Finalist

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Baylun Williams-Pinkie

2024 State Finalists

• Apprentice of the Year Finalist – Lauren Calleja

• Trainee of the Year Finalist – Tiana Riley

• Vet Trainer/Teacher of the Year Finalist – Joanna Doherty
  

• Vocational Student of the Year Finalist – Remi Collins

2023

• Trainee of the Year Winer (NSW & Australia) – Bridie Searle

2021

• Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW & Australia) - Megan Cox
• Vocational Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Gabriella Adeline
• School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Finalist (People’s Choice NSW) - Tyler Pockran

2020

• Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Janaya Millgate
  

2019

• Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Maddison Camilleri

Postcodes Covered by this Region

Check your region by postcode.

Contact details

For more information about the Central & Northern Sydney Regional Training Awards, please contact:

Michelle Heuving
E: Michelle.Heuving@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0477 393 218