- 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
North Coast & 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 & 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 | - |
2025 Regional Finalists
| Name | Industry | Employer | Host Employer | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamah Coe | Conservation and Ecosystem Management | Zeal Futures | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Zeal Futures Learning | St John Paul College |
| Summer Loadsman | Sport and Recreation | Australian Training Company | National Rugby League Ltd | Australian Training Company | Grafton High School |
| Joshua Maguire | Leadership and Management | Carers NSW | - | VERTO | - |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Name | Industry | Empoyer | Host Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teleisha Dudgoen | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Name | Industry | Emplyer | 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 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
Key Industries in the Region
Apprenticeships
Traineeships
- 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 Finalist
- Kaite Johnson - VET in Schools Student of the Year
2023 State Winners
- Colin Taranto - VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
- Tracie Wood - Vocational Student of the Year
2023 State Finalist
- Ciara Smith - Trainee of the Year
2022 State Finalists
- Charlie Grimshaw - Trainee of the Year
- Deleila Roberts - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Johnathon O'Connor - Apprentice of the Year
- Sara Morgan - Vocational Student of the Year
2021 State Winners
- Chelsea McInnes - School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
2021 State Finalists
- Bejay Dennis - VET in Schools Student of the Year
- Laura Walker - Trainee of the Year
- Tamazyn Ledden - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
2020 State Winners
- Jon Frost - Vocational Student of the Year
2020 State Finalists
- Gary Wimbus - Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Jordon Peterson - Apprentice of the Year
- Monique Burns - Trainee of the Year
- Theodore Scholl - School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
Postcodes Covered by this Region
Contact details
For more information about the North Coast & Mid North Coast Regional Training Awards, please contact:
RLO Lead:
Damon McCarthy
E: Damon.McCarthy@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0427 155 658