Rachael Pearson made the task of picking the 2024 NSW Apprentice of the Year very easy indeed.

The award judging panel described the 31-year-old from Helensburgh, who recently completed her mechanical engineering apprentice, as a ‘multi-skilled, highly decorated individual with a big future ahead of her and a shining example for what’s possible with vocational education’.

“The experience I have had at site, my trade training through Wollongong TAFE, employment with a group training organisation, (HVTC) and my hosted arrangement with South32 has all been so positive,” she said on receiving the honour at the recent NSW Training Awards in Sydney.

Ms Pearson’s achievements are remarkable given she has juggled her work commitments with training and playing in the National Rugby League Women’s (NRLW) competition as co-captain of the Parramatta Eels. She has also represented NSW at State of Origin level.

Growing up in the regional NSW town of Hay, Ms Pearson’s passion for mechanical engineering was ignited by six years of working as a trade assistant at a local engineering shop, where she learned welding and fabricating skills.

When she relocated to Wollongong to play for St George Illawarra in the NRLW, she also started an apprenticeship with South32 at their Appin West mine.

Ms Pearson said the benefits of completing an apprenticeship while also living the dream of a professional rugby league career were obvious.

“I feel so grateful to have my trade to come back to when I finish my NRLW career,” she said.

“I believe the VET pathway is a great alternative to university. It combines the RTO (Registered Training Organisation) learning with hands on experience and mentoring from highly experienced tradespeople.

Despite her busy schedule, Ms Pearson has managed to pick up multiple tickets throughout her apprenticeship, including her Working at Heights, Forklift, Confined Space, Hydraulics 1 and 2 and First Aid qualifications.

She also gained ‘Red Hat’ status in her second year, meaning she was qualified to work underground without assistance.  

On top of her work and league commitments, Ms Pearson also speaks at sporting clubs about VET Pathways.

As part of her role with the Eels, she works with school students to educate them on careers in trades and mining, as well as participating in clinics and gala days.

In 2022 she was awarded the TAFE Stan Gilroy Memorial prize for Fitting Machining and in 2023, she was the recipient of the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) Women in Trade Apprentice of the Year.  

Now that she has completed her apprenticeship, Ms Pearson has put her mechanical engineering career on hold to concentrate on rugby league but has every intention of getting back on the tools when her playing days are over.

“My employer was so supportive of this incredible opportunity, and I feel so grateful to have my trade to come back to when I finish my NRLW career,” she said.

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 Zanes – 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 (Singleton region) – 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 – Dapto

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