North Coast and Mid North Coast Region
The NSW Training Awards are celebrated throughout the state by 9 regional programs.
2025 North Coast & Mid North Coast Training Awards digital program available here.
North Coast Regional Training Services spans from Taree in the south to Tweed Heads in the north. The Regional Training Services team supports local finalists, training providers, government representatives, and departmental staff, and creates opportunities for networking.
Regional award winners may have the chance to represent the North Coast at the NSW State Awards, with the potential to progress to the National Training Awards.
2025 North Coast and Mid North Coast Winners
| Name | Industry | RTO | Employer | School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year | Joshua Maguire | Leadership and Management | VERTO | Carers NSW | - |
| Apprentice of the Year | Jake Barlow | ESI - Distribution Overhead | Essential Energy | Essential Energy | - |
| School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year | Hailee Frost | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | Axial Training and International College | Oxley Refrigeration & Air Conditioning | Newman Senior Technical College |
| Trainee of the Year | Nicole Shedden | Allied Health Assistance | TAFE NSW | Sensational Minds Therapy | - |
| VET in Schools Student of the Year | Bodhi Perandis | Sport Coaching | NSW Department of Education | - | Tweed River High School |
| VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year | Neil O’Donnell | Music | - | NSW Department of Education | - |
| Vocational Student of the Year |
Numoil Smith | Early Childhood Education and Care | TAFE NSW | Goodstart Early Learning | - |
Key objectives for 2025
Supporting excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET) through the Training Awards
Managing regional nominations, interviews, shortlisting, and feedback
Supporting businesses and training organisations to showcase individuals who have excelled in their fields and industries
Supporting and guiding Regional Winners who are progressing to the State Awards
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 | Host Employer | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamah Coe | Conservation and Ecosystem Management | Zeal Futures | Zeal Futures Learning | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | St John Paul College |
| Summer Loadsman | Sport and Recreation | Australian Training Company | Australian Training Company | National Rugby League Ltd | Grafton High School |
| Joshua Maguire | Leadership and Management | Carers NSW | VERTO | - | - |
Apprentice of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jake Barlow | ESI - Distribution Overhead | Essential Energy | Essential Energy |
| Matthew Baxter | Electrotechnology Electrician | Light Touch Electrical | TAFE NSW |
| Hannah Wells | Painting and Decorating | Essential Maintenance Industries | Gimbal Training |
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hailee Frost | Air Conditioning and Refrigeration | Oxley Refrigeration & Air Conditioning | Axial Training and International College | Newman Senior Technical College |
| Felix Quaresmini | Commercial Cookery | Kempsey Macleay RSL Club | TAFE NSW | Newman Senior Technical College |
| Jorja Willis | Individual Support | Dougherty Villa | KARBEN Training Solutions | Grafton High School |
Trainee of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | Host Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teleisha Dudgeon | Business | Programmed Skilled Workforce | Tweed Shire Council | Programmed Skilled Workforce |
| Soul Nicholson | Health Services Assistance | Hunter New England Local Health District | - | TAFE NSW |
| Nicole Shedden | Allied Health Assistance | Sensational Minds Therapy | - | TAFE NSW |
VET in Schools Student of the Year
| Name | Industry | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caprice Bailey | Health Services Assistance | TAFE NSW | The Rivers Secondary College - Kadina High Campus |
| Kayla Maher Dunn | Hospitality | NSW Department of Education | Tweed River High School |
| Bodhi Perandis | Sport Coaching | NSW Department of Education | Tweed River High School |
VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| Karen McCann | Sports Coaching | Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle |
| Neil O’Donnell | Music | NSW Department of Education |
| Kristen Perkins | Business Services | NSW Department of Education |
Vocational Student of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zachary Butler | Timber Systems Design | TimberFast | NTHA Training |
| John Ray | Health Services Assistance | Northern NSW Local Health District | TAFE NSW |
| Numoil Smith | Early Childhood Education and Care | Goodstart Early Learning | TAFE NSW |
Key Industries in the Region
Popular apprenticeships include:
Certificate III in Carpentry
Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Plumbing
Certificate III in ESI - Distribution Overhead
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 Travel
Notable Alumni
2024 State Finalists
VET in Schools Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Katie Johnson
2023
VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Winner (NSW) - Colin Taranto
Vocational Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Tracie Wood
Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Ciara Smith
2022
Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Charlie Grimshaw
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Deleila Roberts
Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Jonathon O’Connor
Vocational Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Sara Morgan
2021
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW) – Chelsea McInnes
VET in Schools Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Bejay Dennis
Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Laura Walker
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Tamazyn Ledden
2020
Vocational Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Jon Frost
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Gary Wimbus
Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Jordon Peterson
Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Monique Burns
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Theodore Scholl
Postcodes Covered by this Region
Contact details
For more information about the North Coast & Mid North Coast Regional Training Awards, please contact:
Tina Foster
E: Tina.Foster@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0477 350 183