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.
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
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