Illawarra & South East NSW Region

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

2025 Illawarra & South East NSW digital program available here

The Illawarra and South East NSW Regional Training Services is dedicated to recognising and promoting excellence in vocational education and training across the region, with a focus on apprenticeships and traineeships. The region spans from Helensburgh in the north to Eden in the south, and extending to Cooma/Monaro, Queanbeyan, Yass, Goulburn, and the Southern Highlands.


Key Objectives for 2025

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

  • Managing regional nominations, interviews, shortlisting, and feedback

  • Facilitating community participation in, and local sponsorship of, the Regional Training Awards

  • Supporting the economic landscape of the region through encouraging and recognising excellence in a wide range of work, community, and life skills

  • 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
Rory Archer Early Childhood Education and Care Shoalhaven Community Preschool Wave Learning -
Jordan Steele Library and Information Services Wollongong City Council TAFE NSW -
Lane Williams Screen and Media HILL TO AIR The Australian Academy of Media Ulladulla High School

Apprentice of the Year

Name Industry Employer Host Employer RTO
Bruce Harkness Bricklaying and Blocklaying J & S Harkness Bricklayers - TAFE NSW
Jalah Morris Commerical Cookery Eschalot Restaurant - Quality College of Australia
Thomas Smart Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology Zeal Futures Freightliner & Mercedes Benz Trucks Illawarra TAFE NSW

School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO Host Employer School
Emily McLeod Early Childhood Education and Care Cobblers Hill Community Preschool ECTARC - St Mary Star of the Sea College
Harrison Rosta Sport, Aquatics and Recreation Creating Chances Australian Training Company - Kanahooka High School
Leyla Wilson Business 1300apprentice Australian College of Commerce & Management ANZ - Goulburn Mulwaree High School

Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Tori Bass Early Childhood Education and Care Explorers Learning Academy ECTARC
Tamika Dykstra Early Childhood Education and Care ECTARC ECTARC
Elouisa Monaghan Early Childhood Education and Care Tasman Park Children’s Centre ECTARC

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Name Industry RTO Employer School
Molly Blunt Agriculture Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong - Chevalier College
Beau Mullins Hospitality Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited - Carroll College Broulee
Talia Walters Construction NSW Department of Education Edmiston Jones Dapto High School

VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

Name Industry Employer
Larissa Balson Early Childhood Education and Care ECTARC
Tanya Campbell Community Services Wesley Vocational Institute
Renee O’Reilly Hospitality Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited

Vocational Student of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Christina Desmond Quality Auditing Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong TAFE NSW
Indy-Rai Herrett Community Services Sureway Employment and Training Sureway Skills Training
Donna Sweatman Early Childhood Education and Care Goodstart Early Learning ECTARC


Key Industries in the Region

Popular apprenticeships include:

  • Certificate III in Carpentry

  • Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician

  • Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology

  • Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)

  • Certificate III in Plumbing

Popular traineeships include:

  • Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice

  • Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Certificate III in Business

  • Certificate III in Retail


Notable Alumni

2024 State Winners

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Winner – Michael Pfeffer

  • Apprentice of the Year Winner – Rachael Pearson

2024 State Finalists

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist – Brooke Fletcher

2023

  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Jayden Simms

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Tahliah Duck

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Thomas Eyre

2022

  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Winner (NSW) – Jade Barrington

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Daniel Arroyo

  • Vocational Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Mathew MacGregor

  • School-based Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) – Teagan Nicholson

2021

  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year (People’s Choice NSW) - Maddison Peisley

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist & Woman in Non-Traditional Trade (NSW) - Tay Kruizinga

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Alexia Lara

  • VET in Schools Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Claire Petitt

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Robyn Edwards

  • Vocational Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - William Gascoigne

2020

  • School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW) - Cassandra O’Carroll

  • Apprentice of the Year Winner (NSW) - Joshua Nickl

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Shayd Flegg


Postcodes Covered by this Region

Check your region by postcode.


Contact details

For more information about the Illawarra & South East NSW Regional Training Awards, please contact:

Talarah Bull
E: Talarah.Bull@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0448 317 347

Category:

  • Skills
  • VET

Topics:

  • VET

Business Unit:

  • Training Services
Return to top of page Back to top