- Certificate III in Carpentry
- Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
- Certificate III in Heavy Commerical Vehicle Mechanical Technology
- Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)
- Certificate III in Plumbing
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 & 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.
2025 Illawarra & South East NSW Winners
| Name | Industry | RTO | Employer | Host Employer | School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year | Rory Archer | Early Childhood Education and Care | Wave Learning | Shoalhaven Community Preschool | - | - |
| Apprentice of the Year | Thomas Smart | Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology | TAFE NSW | Zeal Futures | Freightliner & Mercedes Benz Trucks Illawarra | - |
| School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year | Harrison Rosta | Sport, Aquatics and Recreation | Australian Training Company | Creating Chances | - | Kanahooka High School |
| Trainee of the Year | Elouisa Monaghan | Early Childhood Education and Care | ECTARC | Tasman Park Children’s Centre | - | - |
| VET in Schools Student of the Year | Beau Mullins | Hospitality | Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited | - | - | Carroll College Broulee |
| VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year | Renee O’Reilly | Hospitality | - | Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited | - | - |
| Vocational Student of the Year |
Indy-Rai Herrett | Community Services | Sureway Skills Training | Sureway Employment and Training | - | - |
2025 Regional Finalists
| 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 | Uladulla High School |
| Name | Industry | Empkoyer | 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 Commerical Vehicle Mechanical Technology | Zeal Futures | Freightliner & Mercedes Benz Trucks Illawarra | TAFE NSW |
| Name | Industry | Employer | Host Employer | RTO | 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 | ANZ - Goulbrun | Australian College of Commerce & Management | Mulwaree High School |
| 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 |
| Name | Industry | RTO | School | Employer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Dapto High School | Emiston Jones |
| Name | Industry | Empkoyer |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
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
Apprenticeships
Traineeships
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
- Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice
- Diploma of Early Education and Care
- Certificate III in Business
- Certificate III in Retail
Notable Alumni
2024 State Winners
- Michael Pfeffer - VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- Rachael Pearson - Apprentice of the Year
2024 State Finalist
- Brooke Fletcher - Trainee of the Year
2023 State FInalists
- Jayden Simms - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Tahliah Duck - Trainee of the Year
- Thomas Eyre - Apprentice of the Year
2022 State Winner
- Jade Barrington - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
2022 State Finalists
- Daniel Arroyo - Apprentice of the Year
- Matthew MacGregor - Vocational Student of the Year
- Teagan Nicholson - School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
2021 State Winners
- Maddison Peisley - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Tay Kruizinga - Woman in Non-Traditional Trade
2021 State Finalists
- Tay Kruizinga - Apprentice of the Year
- Alexia Lara - Trainee of the Year
- Claire Petitt - VET in Schools Student of the Year
- Robyn Edwards - VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- William Gascoigne - Vocational Student of the Year
2020 State Winners
- Cassandra O'Carroll - School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
2020 State Finalists
- Joshua Nickl - Apprentice of the Year
- Shayd Flegg - Trainee of the Year
Postcodes Covered by this Region
Contact details
For more information about the Illawarra & South East NSW Regional Training Awards, please contact:
RLO Lead:
Talarah Bull
E: Talarah.Bull@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0448 317 347
Support:
Steph Reedy
E: Stephanie.Reedy@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0447 831 462