On Monday, 9th of May 2022, NSW Training Awards Ambassador Maddi Camilleri headed to Cecil Hills High School to chat about Vocational Education and Training (VET) pathways to more than 130 students from Years 11 and 12.

After her NSW Training Awards success, Maddi was engaged to join the Educational Pathways Program (EPP).

This initiative has been steadily growing, and 2022 saw some significant milestones. The initiative is a unique opportunity for successful alumni from the NSW Training Awards to hold space for career-focused casual conversations, questions, and organic discovery. The ambassadors represent a range of industries, all with unique journeys, affirming that career paths neither must be linear nor expected.

As a kid, Maddison wanted to be an interior designer. At least, she thought she did. Her interest in the field led her to do a Certificate III in Design Fundamentals: Interior Design as part of her HSC, but the course didn’t live up to her expectations. But it did reveal what she was really into…

She then completed a Certificate IV in Civil Construction Design also whilst still in high school. Getting a kick start on her career, ahead of the rest of her peers.

After completing her HSC, she started a traineeship at SCP Consulting, a Sydney-based firm that specialises in major commercial projects. Maddi responded well to the mix of formal training and on-the-job learning, and as soon as she finished, the traineeship was offered a full-time job.

Four years later, Maddi is still with the Sydney-based firm, but she’s no longer the rookie in the office. Today, Maddi is a Lead Drafter overseeing some massive projects and also is able to oversee her very own trainees.

At Cecil Hill High School, Maddi gave an interactive presentation and spoke on her personal career journey and experience with VET.

This inspired many students to reach out to her afterwards with additional questions on undertaking a VET pathway in person and online via her ambassador-focused instagram account ‘maddi_designs’.

Over the course of a few months, Maddi stayed in touch with a student, Taneisha, who communicated a significant interest in Vocational Education and Training within the field.

Maddi decided then to bring Taneisha into SCP Consulting for some work experience, so she could decide if this was the right career path for her. After three successful days of work experience, before Taneisha’s graduation and SCP’s trainee intake, SCP decided that Taneisha was such a great addition to the team that they wanted to hire her part-time, before offering her a traineeship position in January.

Taneisha is competent and has progressed at a record rate at SCP Consulting with Maddi and the team's support and mentorship. Maddi started out as a trainee and is now able to train and mentor her own trainee.

With the Educational Pathways Program continuing to reach more students, the NSW Training Awards is the gateway to recognition, opportunities, and professional development for VET Ambassadors across NSW. It’s a chance for NSW Training Awards winners and finalists to extend their experience and support young people making significant decisions about their career pathways.

Find out more about the Educational Pathways Program.