Meet our Ambassadors
Inspiring events, talks and mentoring from NSW Training Awards Ambassadors who have explored a vocational education path and gone on to achieve career success.
Ammaleah Astruc
2022 NSW Training Awards Trainee of the Year for Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region
Certificate III in Retail
Biography
When Ammaleah was offered a school-based traineeship with her employer, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), she immediately recognised a significant opportunity to combine her paid job with school. Without hesitation Ammaleah commenced her Certificate III in Retail and has not looked back.
I walked out of school with an ATAR as well as a nationally recognised qualification.
During her traineeship, Ammaleah gained a greater insight into the purpose behind a range of key customer service concepts.
“The qualification was an opportunity to expand my skills and understanding of the KFC workplace. I have not only developed my money handling, WHS, and sales skills, but working in a fast-paced learning environment has given me a greater understanding of the concepts of speed of service, active listening, and commercial awareness.”
Demonstrating an exemplary attitude and wisdom beyond her years, Ammaleah was also given the opportunity to take on more responsibility and learn supervisory skills, becoming an invaluable member of the KFC team during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This traineeship has helped me learn the significance of being a team player and when to lead, especially in uncertain circumstances. Having these skills ready will allow me to explore new avenues and qualifications in the future, particularly my Shift Supervisor training.”
“I have formed another level of expectation for myself to display a greater amount of emotional intelligence and a clearer vision in the workplace. Walking into work with an abundance mentality and a positive outlook can instantly boost the productivity of the team.”
During her traineeship, Ammaleah was grateful for the support she received from KFC, providing a safe, productive, and respectful space that focused on the growth and overall well-being of the employees.
Region
- Western Sydney - Blacktown
- Western Sydney - Parramatta
- South-west Sydney
Arcadia Meldrum
2019 NSW Training Awards School-Based Trainee of the Year
Certificate III in Tourism
Biography
Arcadia’s journey from a school-based traineeship in tourism to her current teaching role, showcases the clarity and confidence VET provides in career development.
Take every opportunity that’s offered to you, whether it’s scary or not.
Figuring out what you’re going to do with your life when you have more than one interest can be tough. That was the case for Arcadia Meldrum, the former Newman Technical College student who’s just as passionate about sport as she is about event management. Luckily, VET gave Arcadia a taste of both fields before she finished school.
“I chose a Certificate III in Tourism because I have a real passion for the industry and event management,” says Arcadia. “It was exciting to meet new people and make heaps of industry contacts, and I knew working with one of Australia’s largest hotel chains would give me skills for life and make me employable after my HSC.”
As an experienced player and coach, Arcadia thought a career that revolved around her passion for sport might be worth exploring, so she also did a Certificate III in Sport Life Recreation as part of her HSC.
After graduating, Arcadia returned to Newman to try out a Teacher’s Assistant job in the school’s Sport and recreation faculty. It wasn’t what she thought it’d be.
“While I loved aspects of the job, I found that I didn’t enjoy teaching as much as I thought I would,” says Arcadia.
No problem. The 2019 School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year (Tourism) regrouped, refocused on event management, and began looking at her training options. Before long, she’d found the perfect course at the University of Newcastle and went for it.
The Bachelor of Business degree allows Arcadia to focus on events and tourism, and even involves a lengthy work placement, which she’s looking forward to. As for the different approach to learning, Arcadia is thriving thanks to some of the transferable skills she picked up in VET.
Region
- Hunter
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Central Coast
Brendan Cooper
2022 NSW Training Awards VET in Schools Student of the Year for Illawarra and South East NSW
Certificate II in Construction Pathways
Biography
Brendan Cooper thought he wanted to be a chef. A week or two into his course, he realised it wasn’t for him and, after a talk with his careers adviser, he pivoted to a Certificate II in Construction and hasn’t looked back.
It was the best of both worlds – enjoying high school while doing a school-based qualification.
Some might say that working with timber runs in his blood, considering his family’s business crafts and sells timber products. His father’s time as a joiner meant that Brendan grew up with a full toolkit and a frequent collaborator to build his skills. “Dad really likes working with timber as well as my older brother, so I followed in their footsteps,” says Brendan. “That said, joinery isn’t my type of gig. I don’t want to build little boxes; I want to build houses – much bigger boxes!”
Immediately gelling with the course material, Brendan knew he wanted to be carpenter as soon as he started his construction course. “Every day I had my construction class, I'd bounce home and tell Mum and Dad what I'd done and show them what I was building,” says Brendan.
Absolutely loving the new approach to learning, Brendan’s enthusiasm for his qualification continued to grow. “The qualification got me excited because it's more hands-on work and delves into the practical side of stuff,” says Brendan. “Building pallets, concrete floats and cubby houses – it was so much fun.”
Brendan completed his qualification over years 10 and 11 allowing him to focus on his ATAR in his final year of high school. “I love that I have a course qualification before I'm even finished year 12,” he says. “I’ve already lined up the local business where I can start my apprenticeship straight after school.”
The spark Brendan felt with his qualification was clear to everyone around him and his energy was also encouraging other students. “I love to help out anyone who looks a bit stuck in school or doesn't know what they want to do in their future,” says Brendan. This boundless passion was recognised at the Illawarra and South East NSW Training Awards. “I thought there's no way I could win considering I live in such a small town, so I was pretty shocked when I did.”
Brendan has big ambitions when it comes to his future career. “I want to have my own carpentry business once I'm fully qualified,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to build my own house. I’m a ‘go big or go home’ kind of person so I want to create something that stands out.”
And, based on the strength of his own mentors and his brilliant experience of VET, Brendan is keen to pay it forward for others. “I definitely want to take on apprentices,” he says. “It would be pretty cool to teach other people what I've learnt and I'd love to help them achieve their own goals like I’ve been able to.”
Region
- Illawarra
Casey Fox
2022 NSW Training Awards Trainee of the Year for Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region
Certificate III in Retail
Biography
Losing her high-profile job due to the COVID-19 pandemic became an opportunity for Casey Fox to rediscover her love of learning and pursue her dream career.
I want industry experts out there to know that they have a chance to bring what they know back into the classroom.
Casey Fox had worked in retail her whole life. Little did she know that the call to enrol in a vocational education and training course would be the defining moment in a new career path.
“I worked in retail training staff for some of Australia's biggest fashion brands and managing hundreds of team members,” says Casey. This paused momentarily after Casey became a mother to twins. “My plan was to be a mum for six months and then go back to work. That obviously didn’t happen – my amazing girls became my focus.”
After a few years as a full-time mum, Casey transitioned to part-time work in the same training role, until the pandemic hit. “Retail shut down overnight,” says Casey. “I was stood down, and it made me feel pretty low.” Her partner, witnessing her despair, gave her some advice. “He said you have one day to pause and honour what you’re feeling, but then use this as a chance to study.”
Calling her local community college, Casey had a serendipitous moment. “They had one spot left in the Cert IV in Training and Assessment starting that Friday,” says Casey. “I nervously asked how much it was going to cost and the woman told me it was fee-free – I wouldn’t pay a cent. I cried, she cried, and it was one of those moments where I knew I was 100% in the right place.”
Casey’s instinct was accurate – she loved every second of her qualification. “I dived into it, doing a six-month compressed course,” says Casey. The new-found passion was giving Casey so much more than just a qualification and it was visible to everyone around her. “My partner at one point said ‘she's back’. It was amazing to feel that sense of power again.”
Blitzing through her studies, Casey was inspired by her trainer. “We called him the captain of our classroom, and I just live for what he taught,” she says. Casey was so inspired that she decided to follow in his footsteps. “Halfway through, I pulled him aside and said, ‘I want to train this course’,” says Casey. “He put me forward for a job at the college, training computer classes.”
With a new job and ambition, Casey needed to complete a Diploma of Vocational Training and Assessment to achieve her dream. “I jumped straight back into study,” she says. “I’d put my girls to bed and just lived the assessment life until I could get it done.”
Now, Casey relishes her role connecting with people from all industries. This career she has carved out for herself has taken her slightly by surprise. “My qualification genuinely was life-changing,” says Casey. “I thought a VET course was going to lead me to my next career. Instead, my qualification became the career.”
Casey hopes more people will consider their options. “You're never too old to change,” she says. “There are pathways if you want them – part time, full time, online, in a classroom, whatever works for you. There's a path and there's support available, and I wish I'd known that sooner.
Region
- Western Sydney - Blacktown
- Western Sydney - Parramatta
- South-west Sydney
Chelsea McInnes
2021 NSW Training Awards School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Certificate II in Hospitality
Biography
Chelsea McInnes has a passion for life. With boundless energy, an appetite for adventure and a head full of ideas, she’s charging forward since completing her school-based traineeship.
I'm a visual learner. I learnt about hospitality, but it helped me academically too. I fell in love with education again.
Full of confidence, this young woman with a bright future credits vocational education and training (VET) with a big shift in her mindset. “It 100% transformed the person I was,” says Chelsea. “It really gave me a push to rediscover my motivation for life.”
While at high school, Chelsea was struggling to connect with the course material and weighing up her options. “I was at a crossroad in year 11, so I decided to do my school-based traineeship – a Cert II in Hospitality,” says Chelsea. “I absolutely loved it. Being able to get into the industry was awesome. It kept me in school so I could finish my HSC, but I was also surrounded by people who have passions and stories like mine.”
Growing up in a single-parent family, Chelsea has been working since she was 16. “You take it on your shoulders to be a superhero for your family,” says Chelsea. “It wasn’t expected of me, but I wanted to help. It wasn’t like my wages were paying the electricity bill, but I could go and buy groceries if I noticed we were getting low.”
Witnessing her mum’s drive to succeed in pharmacy through VET, Chelsea was supported in her decision to follow a similar path. “Mum worked her way up with VET - doing online learning in her downtime or shuffling her work commitments to study - so it made sense that I would do the same.”
Chelsea’s passion during her traineeship was clear to her colleagues as she was promoted quickly. “Being a young manager taught me so much,” says Chelsea. “Many of my colleagues were older than me, so I learned the importance of leadership – feeling confident to understand your team members and to work with them, not against or above them.”
As she threw herself into her job, Chelsea was also relishing the financial freedom it afforded her. “I was gaining financial independence – more than I’d ever seen before – and a new love for education,” she says. Not only could she continue her ‘superhero act’ but make serious headway on saving for the trip of her dreams. “I travelled around Europe for five weeks after school. I wouldn’t have been able to have that life-changing experience without my traineeship,” says Chelsea.
While overseas, Chelsea’s eyes were opened to the many opportunities she could access globally and plans to make full use of them. “I’m saving for my next trip now,” she says. “I hope to move countries at some stage, and I wouldn't be able to do it without the qualifications I have under my belt.”
For now, Chelsea continues working in a bar, honing her hospitality skills, and developing her “thousands of ideas” to support young people in her community. “My personal goal is to advocate for young people's futures, for their mental health, and really just ensure I can contribute to the future of our society.”
Region
- Hunter
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Central Coast
Clint Giddings
2021 NSW Training Awards Trainer/Teacher of the Year (Construction)
N/A
Biography
Clint Giddings, a poster child himself for what vocational education can offer, is now sharing that knowledge and experience with his students.
VET has been the carrot for a lot of students to actually stay in education.
Clint came across vocational education by accident. Taking on a Certificate IV in Fitness prior to starting his Bachelor of Human Movement at university, Clint’s eyes were opened to the world of opportunities VET unlocks. Inspired by his own teachers, Clint also completed a Certificate II in Sport and Recreation while at university, adding to his (now) long list of qualifications.
With the degree, Certificate II and Certificate IV completed, he dived into teaching, securing a PE and woodwork teacher role. And, in true Clint style, when the school wanted to offer construction as a training pathway, he retrained. “I’m always willing to give things a shot and I've always been interested in upgrading skills,” says Clint. Before long, a job came up at another school that was too good to ignore – a Careers Adviser and construction teacher. He relished his role shaping the futures of his students, imparting his accumulated knowledge with younger versions of himself. “It was probably the best job I could imagine,” he says. “As a careers adviser, you're helping students begin tertiary pathways or complete a trade so they’re changing the course of their life. It’s so rewarding.”
“It was also amazing to see a lot of the students who may not necessarily be loving school really engage with construction,” Clint adds.
Through his teaching role Clint witnessed the transformative power of hands-on learning and the importance of equipping young learners with the tools they need to thrive. “So many students find their niche with VET – something that they absolutely loved,” says Clint. “A school-based apprenticeship or traineeship opens up so many opportunities.” Continuing his passion for teaching and learning, Clint worked tirelessly on a Construction Cottage project. “I organised grants and partners so that the students could literally build their own classroom,” says Clint. “It’s a 14-by-10 metre cottage where they can practice trades.”
Built while COVID-19 had put a halt to work placements, the cottage continues to exist as a hub of learning. “I went back to see it recently and there was a group of girls bricklaying and putting in stud walls – it was fantastic to see.”
Clint’s dedication to learning, VET, and his desire to share his wisdom continues to grow. As a profession well-versed in the VET sector, he works as a VET Project Curriculum Officer and has been awarded an Industry Collaboration Award from the NSW Career Advisers Association as well as Teacher/Trainer of the Year by the NSW Training Awards. But there’s no higher honour than the difference he has made to so many students’ lives, which spurs him on to go bigger to help empower teachers and bring new talent to the profession.
A valued member of the Bathurst community, Clint feels immense pride when he runs into students who have benefited from his guidance. “Seeing so many students’ lives change because of the skills they are developing and the qualifications they are gaining through VET is the biggest reward,” says Clint.
Region
Ethan Zammit
2021 NSW Training Awards VET in Schools Student of the Yea
Certificate III in Live Production and Services
Biography
VET has opened up a world of professional entertainment opportunities for Ethan, who began his vocational education journey in Year 9.
Trainers with real industry experience aren’t just theorising about it, they’ve been there and done it.
Ethan Zammit is still finishing high school, but he’s already taken serious strides towards his dream career. In fact, it feels like he’s been working towards it since an early age “I've always loved the theatre, lighting, sound and that sort of thing,” says Ethan. “I've been playing drums in church and doing live sound since I was five, so that's where the passion started.”
Ethan began his vocational education in year nine. “I started in the entertainment industry course as soon as I could,” says Ethan. “I absolutely loved it and it gave me a huge confidence boost – especially after winning the NSW Training Awards VET in Schools Student of the Year in Year 10.”
With dream career opportunities unfolding before him, Ethan decided to focus on his vocational qualification rather than pursuing an ATAR. “I started looking into universities or further education for the kind of the stuff I'm interested in and I saw that applicants could get in with a Cert III equivalent, which I already had,” says Ethan. With multiple pathways into his tertiary studies, Ethan is now loving his last year of school, relishing the time to take on more passion projects and gain experience in his career. “I've just tried to take part in every opportunity I've been given recently, because I no longer have the stress,” says Ethan. “At school I'm always running an event, organizing something, programming lights in the auditorium or writing a run sheet.”
Ethan has also been appointed the AV and IT coordinator of The Parish of St John XXIII. “When I came in, I overhauled everything and basically set it all up with reliability in mind.” And he’s always keen to jump into action and share his skills. “I recently did the lighting for an entire dance show, which was really crazy,” he says. “But I was pretty confident and I was very proud of myself, because the training had literally brought me to that point.”
With his foundation of experience gained through VET, Ethan has his sights firmly set on his dreams. “My plan is to go into the industry for a few years, get that experience and work at a few venues so I can build my career as a venue technician,” says Ethan. “I want to have my own space where I manage it and facilitate people coming in and hiring it. I think that could be a really cool thing.”
Region
- Western Sydney - Blacktown
- Western Sydney - Parramatta
- South-west Sydney
Gabriella Adeline
2021 NSW Training Awards Vocational Student of the Year
Certificate IV in Patisserie
Biography
It wasn’t until Gabriella Adeline was applying for jobs as a psychologist that she felt the pull to pursue her passion. Now, working at one of Australia’s best restaurants as a pastry chef and cultivating her “dream life”, she hasn’t looked back from pursuing her vocational education pathway.
I feel like I finished early because I said yes to everything
Gabriella spent three years studying a Bachelor of Psychology, then completing her honours. The plan was to become registered as a psychologist and start working in her profession. But something just wasn’t sitting right with Gabriella. “Every time I’d go to a job interview, I’d feel a huge burden and would be so relieved when I didn’t get the job.”
After taking some time off and working in retail, Gabriella decided to fulfill a dream she had been nurturing. “I knew that at some point in my life I would go to a pastry school,” says Gabriella. “I had nothing to lose, so I enrolled myself in a Certificate IV in Patisserie.”
After six months of study, Gabriella decided to throw herself wholeheartedly into her new career and find a job that complemented her qualification. “I was very picky about where I wanted to work from the beginning,” says Gabriella. “That was quite difficult because I didn’t have any pastry experience, but I knew I could offer so much more than what was on my resume.” The only job she would consider was at a prestigious hotel, but it was an apprentice position with a four-year completion time. “I figured I just needed to get my foot in the door, so I paused my Certificate IV to start my Certificate III.” Taking the job, Gabriella quickly felt at home in her new role. “An apprenticeship puts you in a safe position to just actually learn,” she says. “It gave me comfort and allowed me to ask all the questions.”
Gabriella went from strength to strength but, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Throughout this time, Gabriella found a new job at Bondi Icebergs and was also selected for the Australian team in the Pastry World Cup in Milan. And though the challenges of COVID-19 meant that a lot of plans had to shift, she was still able to complete her Certificate IV.
Settling into a new job at a high-profile restaurant in Barangaroo, Gabriella gained a wealth of experience and signed off her apprenticeship 19 months early. “Once I learned that early completion was possible, I was always aiming for it,” says Gabriella. “But I didn’t know that you could get signed off as early as I did!” Gabriella is now working at one of Australia’s most prestigious restaurants and is filled with excitement about what’s ahead. “There are so many pathways and career options that follow your qualification – you can be a chef, you can consult, you can run your own business,” says Gabriella. “I feel like I’m not working towards a dream job, but a dream life.”
Region
- Western Sydney - Blacktown
- Western Sydney - Parramatta
- South-west Sydney
Jackson Robards
2017 NSW Training Awards School Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year – Hunter & Central Coast Region
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Biography
Jackson Robards’ motivation to care for others has been a constant in his life. But it was caring full time for his Pop that pushed him to turn his passion into a career through vocational education.
It made me feel a lot more confident in myself and in my choices.
Jackson Robards’ motivation to care for others has been a constant in his life. But it was caring full time for his Pop that pushed him to turn his passion into a career through vocational education.
Jackson had been volunteering since he was 15 at the local aged care facility to lend a hand and chat with the residents. As his beloved Pop’s Parkinson’s diagnosis became too much for his Nan to handle on her own, Jackson made the decision to become a live-in carer. He was only 16 at the time. “Pop needed help showering, getting in and out of bed and taking medication so I was a live-in carer for six months before he sadly passed away,” says Jackson. And though, at the time, it was incredibly sad, Jackson saw his purpose. “Things happen for a reason. I believe that I followed my career path because that's where it all started.”
Jackson returned to school, where his careers adviser mentioned the possibility of doing a school-based traineeship through health. After applying and securing his place, Jackson commenced his vocational journey over the course of years 11 and 12.
“Once I realised what opportunities the school-based traineeship could provide, I really relaxed and was able to focus on something that could lead into my career,” says Jackson. And he quickly thrived in this new learning environment. “You're getting paid to learn something you love, so it was absolutely fantastic.”
After completing his school-based traineeship, Jackson worked in aged care for two years. And while it was a high workload, he found it enormously rewarding. “When you can help someone, it makes it so worth it. It reminded me why I was there,” he says. His time in this role gave him a passion for palliative care. “You're able to help someone in those last moments. And that's when they just want someone to listen to them, talk to them, and remind them that it's ok.”
Now, Jackson is pursuing a different passion within the healthcare sector – disability support. “I work in supported living. We support people with disabilities to live their life and help them achieve their goals,” says Jackson. “It is the best choice I ever made. I love empowering people to live their own life. I love this.” Being able to turn his love of helping people into a career has made such a lasting impression on Jackson that he is quick to encourage others to follow in his vocational education footsteps. “If I hear anyone wondering if it’s the right option, I'll say ‘do it’,” says Jackson. “It was the best thing I ever did in my life. I wouldn't take a moment back.”
Region
- Hunter
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Central Coast
Jade Barrington
2022 NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Certificate II in Business Services
Biography
With career aspirations of becoming a Primary school teacher, Jade completed a school-based traineeship (Certificate II in Business Services), gaining invaluable knowledge, experience and confidence through working with the NSW Department of Education.
The traineeship helped me become an independent learner, which is so helpful at university.
A good teacher can change your life in ways that extend well beyond the classroom. This is something Jade Barrington knows all too well. Growing up, there were times that teachers provided Jade with support that went well above their job descriptions, which sparked her desire to become a teacher.
“School has always been my safe place to learn,” says Jade. “I felt such a sense of belonging and had so many teachers that I looked up to – I want to do that for someone else.” Jade has chased this dream since she was small and is well on her way to achieving it. One step of this journey was completing a Certificate II in Business Services while in high school. A proud Wodi Wodi woman from Yuin country, Jade relished her chance to build connections with Country and community through her traineeship with the local council. “I got to really understand what our Elders have done and the work we’ll continue in the future,” she says. “It was just so exciting.”
Always committed to her studies and focused on her career goals, Jade gained a wealth of soft skills and was bolstered by a huge support network. “I learnt to find the balance between my studies and the work I was doing for my community and felt supported by so many people, especially my trainer George Brown,” says Jade. “I couldn’t have done it without him. I asked him a million questions and he conceptualised the answers for me.”
Recognizing her passion and drive, George encouraged Jade to speak at NAIDOC Week celebrations so she could share her story and her connection with culture. “After my speech, some of the Aunties came up to me and told me I’d done a great job,” says Jade. “To know I’d made them proud and feel that sense of pride in my community pushed me to do more for myself and my people.”
Jade was gaining skills, confidence, and independence, highlighted by her being awarded the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the NSW Training Awards. But the biggest confidence boost was yet to come. Securing early entry into a Bachelor of Primary Teaching at university helped ease the stress of year 12 and got her even closer to her dream. “My biggest goal is being the first person in my family to graduate from uni,” says Jade. “It’s my main focus right now.”
While Jade is continuing to advocate for her community, she sees the potential to shape the future through her career as a teacher. “I think it's so amazing that a student in my classroom could grow up to change the world,” says Jade. “Ambitions and passions are nurtured in primary school, and I love that I could help shape those dreams.” And Jade is determined to ensure that every child she teaches experiences the same feeling of safety that she encountered through school. “I want to make sure that all students, whether they're Indigenous, from non-English-speaking backgrounds or going through something, know that their voice is respected and heard.
Region
- Illawarra
Janaya Millgate
2020 NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Biography
Janaya Millgate believes that childcare chose her. Though she was always clear on her passion for kids, Janaya’s big heart and talent with young children came to the fore when she cared for her four young siblings. It inspired her to start her Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.
My proudest achievement is how I’ve integrated into my workplace.
“From the moment I knew what I wanted to do, it's always been around kids,” says Janaya. “I still don't know how I managed to care for four babies at once, but I figured it out. And, after that, I knew I was ready to do something for myself and apply for jobs in childcare.”
Taking the big step to move from Dubbo to Sydney, Janaya started a traineeship at the childcare centre she still works at today, a testament to her dedication. “Once I got my hands on childcare, I knew that that was it. I didn't want to do anything else,” says Janaya. “Even on hard days, I still love going to work because I love what kids can do.”
After gaining her Certificate III she felt there was room for her to grow, so she went on to do her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Janaya managed to complete her qualification in 12 months instead of 24 months, with her hard work recognized when she won the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year at the 2020 NSW Training Awards.
Alongside Janaya’s passion for childcare sits a strong sense of pride in her culture and, early in her traineeship, she was able to bring the two together. “I’d only been there three weeks when I noticed that more could be done to celebrate NAIDOC Week,” says Janaya. “I knew I couldn't sit on it, so I got the ball rolling.”
Implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan, educating fellow staff and students on the Country the center sits on and hosting a daily Acknowledgment of Country are just some of the ways that Janaya invigorated the curriculum. “Aboriginal culture is embedded into my center, every day,” says Janaya. “If you look back six years ago, you would have been lucky to see an Aboriginal flag.”
Her continuous drive and motivation have Janaya focused on future endeavors – making an impact in the foster care system. “I was a very lucky child of foster care, it wasn’t scary for me, but I know that other children don’t have the same luck,” says Janaya. That’s something I want to change.”
And she loves the way her vocational education journey has provided her with transferable skills to continue growing her career. “All of my success has come from my traineeship,” she says. “It has given me so many skills and I'm not limited. There are so many opportunities.”
Region
- Western Sydney - Blacktown
- Western Sydney - Parramatta
- South-west Sydney
Jordon Peterson
2020 NSW Training Awards Apprentice of the Year for North Coast Region
Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Biography
With a couple of qualifications to his name, some valuable experience and a great attitude, Jordon Peterson has set himself up for a successful career. It’s not a bad outcome for a guy that definitely wasn’t into school until he discovered VET.
It’s not bad being paid to travel and see the country.
Jordan Peterson has big rigs in his blood. Growing up, Jordan spent hours out the front of his family’s Kempsey home washing his dad’s truck and helping him get ready for long haul trips. As soon as he was old enough, Jordan would join his dad on the occasional overnighter.
“It’s not bad being paid to travel and see the country.”
Those trips with his dad planted a seed in Jordan’s mind about what he might like to do, but they also provided him with a welcome distraction from some challenges he was facing closer to home. Jordan had a tough time at high school and felt like it was all a waste of time.
“I really wasn't into school and I was struggling.”
As it turned out, there was a good reason for Jordan’s disengagement. Midway through school, Jordan was diagnosed with dyslexia. The diagnosis helped explain a few things, but it was an introduction to VET and a change of schools that set Jordan on the career pathway he’s on today.
Jordan enrolled in Newman Technical College in Port Macquarie for his last two years and before long he was killing it. Just like schools in the Educational Pathways Program, Newman allows students to incorporate ‘on the job’ training with their HSC subjects.
“Newman was awesome,” says Jordan. “I did a Cert II in Engineering Mechanical through VET in Schools and I got to compete in the 2016 WorldSkills National Championships where I finished second in the automotive category.”
After he graduated with the equivalent of the first year of an apprenticeship under his belt, Jordan started work with Nestlé. Working out of the company’s sprawling Smithtown factory, Jordan completed his apprenticeship in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, becoming a qualified fitter and machinist. He also picked up some more silverware for his trophy cabinet. In 2020, Jordan was crowned Apprentice of the Year at the North Coast & Mid North Coast Training Awards. It was a great result, and one that inspired Jordan to keep going.
“Once I finished at Nestlé, I started my heavy vehicle apprenticeship with Midcoast Trucks in Coffs Harbour,” says Jordan. “Now I’m a fully qualified machinist and a mechanic.”
With a couple of qualifications to his name, some valuable experience and a great attitude, Jordan has set himself up for a successful career. It’s not a bad outcome for a guy that definitely wasn’t into school until he discovered VET.
Region
- North Coast