Western Sydney and Blue Mountains Region

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

2025 Metro Sydney Training Awards digital program available here

The Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region is dedicated to fostering vocational excellence by actively promoting apprenticeships and traineeships. Spanning a diverse and expansive area, the region stretches from Upper MacDonald in the north to Erskine Park in the south, reaching as far west as Mount Victoria and encompassing the Inner West suburbs to the east. This commitment to skill development aims to empower individuals and strengthen the local workforce.

In 2025, for the first time, the Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Training Awards will be combining with the Central & Northern Sydney Training Awards and the Southern & South Western Sydney Training Awards to crown winners from all three regions in one Metro Sydney Training Awards event.

2025 Metro Sydney Training Awards sponsors 2025 Metro Sydney Training Awards sponsors


Key Activities Include

  • Encouraging employers, both large and small, to offer apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities

  • Promoting vocational education to school leavers, highlighting various apprenticeships and traineeships

  • Recognising the achievements of local students, apprentices, trainees, and training providers through the Regional Training Awards

  • Showcasing the talent within the region and providing winners the chance to progress to the NSW State Awards

  • These efforts help build a skilled workforce and highlight the importance of VET in the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains region.


2025 Finalists

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Name Industry Employer Host Employer RTO
Katarina Ferkula-Cohen Business Western Sydney University - Western Sydney University The College
Jackson Sibir Supply Chain Operations MIGAS Apprentices & Trainees Jaybro Australian College of Commerce & Management
Tracey Saunders Applied Digital Technologies Sydney Water - TAFE NSW

Apprentice of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Christopher Grasso Electrotechnology Electrician Endeavour Energy TAFE NSW
Lochlan Leonard Meat Processing (Retail Butcher) Chop Butchery - Richmond TAFE NSW
Tori Shirky Electrotechnology Electrician Endeavour Energy TAFE NSW

School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO School
Kyla Jenkins Electrotechnology Electrician DDP Electrical Services TAFE NSW CathWest Innovation College
Teagan Paviour-Smith Animal Care German Shepherd & Cavoodleworld TAFE NSW Pennant Hills High School
Chelsea Sproh Sport Coaching Creating Chances NSW Department of Education Jamison High School

Trainee of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO Host Employer
Alana Kennedy Leadership and Management Gamuda Engineering Pty Ltd Health & Safety Advisory Service -
Erin Lowry Racing (Stablehand) Godolphin Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy -
Samantha Oliver Business ARCway Careers ARC Training Gerard Malouf & Partners

VET in Schools Student of the Year

Name Industry RTO School
Georgia Baysari Hospitality Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Catherine McAuley Westmead
Summer King Business Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese Catherine McAuley Westmead
Jessica Thompson Business Catholic School Parramatta Diocese CathWest Innovation College

VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

Name Industry Employer
Anthony Hrvatin Construction Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Christopher Rojo Live Production and Technical Services Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
Sky Van den Berge Primary Industries Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese

Vocational Student of the Year

Name Industry Employer RTO
Nathan Dodwell Leadership and Management Corrective Services NSW BSI Learning
Andrew Hudson Early Childhood Education and Care Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre - Blackheath Out of School Hours METS Training Services
Pooja Singh Early Childhood Education and Care Little Oz Kidz Family Day Care International Child Care College


Key Industries in the Region

Popular apprenticeships include:

  • Cert III Electrotechnology Electrician

  • Cert III Carpentry

  • Cert III Plumbing

  • Cert III Light vehicle Mechanical Technology

  • Cert III Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Popular traineeships include:

  • Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Diploma Early Childhood Education and Care

  • Cert III Supply Chain Operations

  • Cert IV Real Estate Practice

  • Cert III Retail


Notable Alumni

2024 State Finalists

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Samer Rawas

2023

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Geraldine Hodkinson

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Mia Lewis

  • VET in Schools Student of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Montayah Astruc

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Raychel White

2022

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Ammaleah Astruc

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Luke Smith

2021

  • VET in Schools Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Ethan Zammit

  • Apprentice of the Year Winner (NSW) - Troy Harris

2020

  • Apprentice of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Daniel Bortoli

  • Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Ricky Rangra


Postcodes Covered by this Region

Check your region by postcode.


Contact details

For more information about the Western Sydney & Blue Mountains NSW Regional Training Awards, please contact:

Noeleen Alchin
E: noeleen.alchin@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0436 913 009

Category:

  • Skills
  • VET

Topics:

  • VET

Business Unit:

  • Training Services
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