A female mechanical engineer and a male early childhood educator have taken top honours in the 2024 NSW Training Awards, highlighting the opportunities for those following non-traditional career paths.

NSW State of Origin women’s rugby league player, Rachael Pearson, was named Apprentice of the Year while early childhood educator, Lachlan Carey, who was forced to give up league after suffering two strokes as a teenager, is the 2024 Trainee of the Year.

For the second year in a row, women dominated the NSW Training Awards with four of the seven individual awards won by females.

The award judging panel described Ms Pearson, from Helensburgh, as a “multi-skilled, highly decorated individual and a shining example for what’s possible with vocational education”.

She excelled in a mechanical engineering apprenticeship and was awarded the 2022 Stan Gilmore Memorial Award for first in stage 1 Fitting-Machining at TAFE and followed that up by being named the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) Women in Trade Apprentice of the Year in 2023.

The 31-year-old has put her career on hold to co-captain the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League Women’s competition but has every intention of getting “back on the tools” when her rugby league days are over.

Trainee of the Year, Mr Carey, from Newcastle, suffered two strokes in Year 10 which required multiple surgeries and a lengthy recovery time.

He was forced to give up playing rugby league and did not return to school to complete his HSC.

But the health setback put him on a pathway to become an award-winning early childhood educator.

Both Ms Pearson and Mr Carey will now go on to represent NSW at the 2024 National Training Awards to be held in Canberra on Friday, 6 December.

Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

“I congratulate all the winners and finalists at the 2024 NSW Training Awards, the annual showcase of the best skilled technicians, training providers and employers around the state.

“We know the economic prosperity of our state depends on us growing a skilled workforce in areas of critical importance such as housing, aged and early childhood care and manufacturing.

“The NSW Training Awards highlights the importance of our VET sector and the wonderful opportunities it offers for a rewarding and prosperous career.

“Importantly, our Apprentice and Trainee of the Year showcase that gender is no barrier to success in non-traditional careers and highlight the importance that breaking down stereotypes will play in meeting our skills shortages.”

2024 Apprentice of the Year, Rachael Pearson said:

“I am proof that if you are passionate about the trade, committed, dedicated and set realistic goals, you can have it all and most importantly you are paid to live this dream along the way.

“I feel so grateful to have my trade to come back to when I finish my NRL/W career.”

2024 Trainee of the Year, Lachlan Carey said:

“I chose a career in early childhood in the hope I could make a difference in the lives of children.

“I realised from my own personal experiences after my strokes that there were people who supported me, and their help and support has made a lasting impact on my life.”

2024 NSW Training Award winners

• Apprentice of the Year - Rachael Pearson, Helensburgh – Certificate III in Engineering – mechanical trade
• Trainee of the Year - Lachlan Carey, Newcastle - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year - Baylun Williams-Pinkie, Matraville - Electrotechnology
• Vocational Student of the Year - Samantha Zannes, Kelso - Early Childhood Education and Care
• School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Dascha Harrison, Newcastle High School - Health Services Assistance
• Women in Trades Award - Jacinta Ferris, Hunterview – Electrotechnology
• VET in Schools Student of the Year - Gabriella Ward, Tamworth (Peel High School) - Health Services Assistance
• VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year - Michael Pfeffer, Hospitality

Organisational Award Winners

• Large Training Provider of the Year - Mines Rescue Pty Ltd
• Industry Collaboration Award - ARC Training and Civic Disability Services for their Support Employee Program
• Large Employer of the Year - NSW State Emergency Service
• Small Employer of the Year - Early Childhood & Co. Services Pty Ltd