Hunter & Central Coast Region

The NSW Training Awards are celebrated throughout the state by 9 regional programs. View other regions.

2025 Hunter & Central Coast digital program available here

The Hunter and Central Coast region encompasses Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Lower and Upper Hunter, Central Coast, and Port Stephens. The region is dedicated to promoting excellence in vocational education and training (VET) through various initiatives, including the prestigious NSW Training Awards.

2025 Hunter & Central Coast Winners

Name Industry RTO Employer Host Employer School
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year James Barry Guiding TAFE NSW Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley - -
Apprentice of the Year Isla Johnston Engineering - Mechanical Trade Zeal Futures Learning HunterNet Career Connections GOSS Engineering -
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Lily Rance Health Services Assistance TAFE NSW Hunter New England Local Health District - Erina High School
Trainee of the Year Lauren McKewen Early Childhood Education and Care International Child Care College The Cottage Preschool and Early Learning Centre - -
VET in Schools Student of the Year Esteban Cervera Cookery NSW Department of Education - - Brisbane Water Secondary College - Woy Woy Campus
VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Zae Greenwood Hospitality - Statewide Business Training - -
Vocational Student of the Year Cathy Burke Housing CHIA NSW Pacific Link Housing - -


2025 Hunter and Central Coast Training Awards partners 2025 Hunter and Central Coast Training Awards partners

Key Objectives for 2025

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

  • Managing regional nominations, interviews, shortlisting, and feedback

  • Offering professional development opportunities to help nominees prepare for the State Awards

  • Annually reviewing the Regional Training Awards event and implementing feedback for continuous improvement

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


2025 Finalists

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO School
James Barry Guiding Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley TAFE NSW -
Georgia Sams Health Services Assistance Hunter New England Local Health District TAFE NSW Kurri Kurri High School
Annie Schonig-Jenkinson Business Services Hunter New England Local Health District TAFE NSW Maitland High School

Apprentice of the Year

Name Industry Employer Host Employer RTO
Jorjia Hogg Sports Turf Management Belmont Golf and Bowls - TAFE NSW
Isla Johnston Engineering - Mechanical Trade HunterNet Career Connections GOSS Engineering Zeal Futures Learning
Maxwell Jones Civil Construction Plant Operations Daracon Group - CWBTS

School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO Host Employer School
Ivee Allan Health Services Assistance Hunter New England Local Health District TAFE NSW - St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen
Lily Rance Health Services Assistance Hunter New England Local Health District TAFE NSW - Erina High School
Kenadee Windon Electrotechnology (Career Start) HunterNet Career Connections Hunter Trade College Star Electrical Co Pty Ltd Hunter Trade College

Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Logan Chapman Pathology Collection NSW Health Pathology TAFE NSW
Sasha Lyell Surface Extraction Operations Programmed Skilled Workforce Programmed Skilled Workforce
Lauren McKewen Early Childhood Education and Care The Cottage Preschool and Early Learning Centre International Child Care College

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Name Industry RTO School
Esteban Cervera Cookery NSW Department of Education Brisbane Water Secondary College - Woy Woy Campus
Emily Harris Hospitality NSW Department of Education Brisbane Water Secondary College - Woy Woy Campus
Isaac Nisbet Engineering Hunter Trade College Hunter Trade College

VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

Name Industry Employer
Zae Greenwood Hospitality Statewide Business Training
Joel Syme Hospitality BSI Learning
Monique Wadwell Community Services Essential Skills Training and Recruitment

Vocational Student of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Cathy Burke Housing Pacific Link Housing CHIA NSW
Daniel Olsen Waste Management Academy Green Learning Academy Green Learning
Emily Roberts Early Childhood Education and Care Garawa Preschool - The Entrance Public School International Child Care College


Key Industries in the Region

Popular apprenticeships include:

  • Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

  • Certificate III in Carpentry

  • Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade

  • Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade

  • Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Popular traineeships include:

  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Certificate III in Individual Support

  • Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice

  • Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations


Notable Alumni

2024 State and National Winners

  • NSW and Australian Trainee of the Year - Lachlan Carey

  • NSW School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year and Australian Runner Up - Dascha Harrison

  • Woman in Non-Traditional Trade – Jacinta Ferris

2024 State Finalists

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist - Jacinta Ferris Winner

  • Vocational Student of the Year Finalist – Lori-Ann Brown

2023

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist & Woman in Non-Traditional Trade (NSW) – Celina Pellett

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Justin Curley

2022

  • Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW) - Mellanie Sutton

  • School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW) - Tahli Gleeson

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Lucinda Shilcock

2021

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Winner (NSW) - Erin Jacob

2020

  • VET in Schools Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Peyton Bennett

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Madison Candy

  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Raymond Steadman

  • School-based Apprentice/Trainee of thre Year Finalist (NSW) - Samar Yousef

The Hunter and Central Coast region is committed to recognising and celebrating the outstanding contributions of local VET students, apprentices, trainees, and employers.


Postcodes Covered by this Region

Check your region by postcode.


Contact details

For more information about the Hunter & Central Coast Regional Training Awards, please contact:

Craig Slavek
E: craig.slavek1@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0457 127 757

Amber Edmonds
E: Amber.Edmonds3@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0477 746 806

Category:

  • Skills
  • VET

Topics:

  • VET

Business Unit:

  • Training Services
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