The important role of TAFE in the education and training landscape was reinforced during the 2016 Hunter Region Apprentice and Training (HRATA) Awards, with Hunter TAFE trained students taking home the lion’s share of awards.

 

Twenty-four Hunter TAFE students were among those vocational students, apprentices, trainees, and VET teachers recognised at the 2016 HRATA Awards, which seeks to highlight the importance of vocational education and training excellence across Australia. Nicolas McLennan, employed by AGL Macquarie, was named the overall 2016 HRATA Apprentice of the Year (for all trades) after also receiving the Electrotechnology Apprentice of The Year Award for his category.

 

Nicholas has completed six qualifications at Hunter TAFE including his trade level Certificate III in Electrotechnology and most recently, the Advanced Diploma of Electrical Engineering.

This training has seen Nicholas successfully complete his apprenticeship and secure full time employment as an Electrical Engineering Technician/ Specialist with AGL Macquarie.

 

As 2016 Apprentice of The Year, Nicholas will go forward to compete at state level in the NSW Training Awards along with five other Hunter TAFE Students who took out HRATA Special Industry Awards - Philip Hyde, Erik Sattler, Aaron Fogarty, Emily Hickey and Nicholas Peers.

 

Shari Nichols, from Cameron Park, was named the overall 2016 Vocational Student of the Year. In 2015, Shari completed her event management qualifications at Hunter TAFE and is now working in her dream job as the Fundraising Coordinator at Camp Quality.

 

Callaghan College student, Olivia Haidle was awarded the 2016 Student Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year. With a dream of becoming a nurse, Olivia is currently undertaking a School Based Traineeship with Hunter New England Health and is completing her Certificate III in Health Services Assistance at Hunter TAFE.