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HVTC Group Employee of the Year - Natasha Gomes
Workforce Solutions Manager - Apprentice/Trainee Employment
Natasha joined HVTC in August 2017, and has been leading the Sydney region since, providing exceptional leadership and guidance to her team. In the last 12 months, Tash has been the driving force behind some of our key programs, including the Service NSW Recovery traineeship program, and the NSW Department of Education IT traineeship program, both of which have seen successful outcomes under Tash’s leadership. As well as driving the success of these programs, Tash has shown courage in her own personal development as part of a leadership development program, and has continued to lead the Sydney team to accomplish successful results in the last 12 months, notably achieving 100% compliance for hosted employee safety engagement in the region.
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Milton Morris Encouragement Award - Preston Donovan
Hosted to Sydney Airport Corporation
After experiencing some hardships throughout his childhood and relocating to Sydney from Wellington, Preston decided that school wasn't for him and wanted to pursue an apprenticeship to support himself and his family. At 16, Preston is currently in the second year of his Electrical apprenticeship with HVTC and Sydney Airport Corporation, and is continuously developing his skills and demonstrating maturity well beyond his years. As a proud Indigenous man, Preston is also involved with his local Indigenous community, where he shares his experience and raises awareness to show that anyone can achieve what he has.
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Apprentice of the Year - Justin Curley
Hosted to Origin Energy
Justin successfully completed his Electrical apprenticeship with HVTC and host employer, Origin Energy in 2022, having already completed a Mechanical apprenticeship with HVTC in 2017. Justin has also completed a Certificate IV in Hydraulic Fluid Power, as well as being named the 2020 HVTC Safety Champion. Now a dual-qualified tradesman, Justin has obtained employment with Centennial's Myuna Colliery and continues to develop his skills while providing guidance to new apprentices coming through the ranks.
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Trainee of the Year - Laura Tetley
Hosted to Centennial
After working with a financial institution for four years, Laura decided it was time to further her education and career opportunities, taking on a Certificate IV Business Administration traineeship with HVTC and Centennial. Laura consistently impressed her co-workers and managers throughout her traineeship, allowing her to complete her traineeship early and secure a full-time role with Centennial. As the only woman on-site at the Myuna Colliery, Laura is an advocate for women looking to enter male-dominated industries.
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Trainee of the Year: Highly Commended - Isabelle Law
Hosted to Service NSW Auburn
Prior to starting her traineeship, Isabelle was a young stay at home mum without clear direction of her next career step. With a passion for customer service, Isabelle decided to undertake a Customer Engagement traineeship with HVTC and Service NSW, which was perfect in setting her up for a long term career. Through hard work and determination Isabelle excelled in her traineeship with Service NSW Auburn, where she now works as a supervisor.
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Indigenous Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Jayden Simms
Hosted to Shoalhaven City Council
Jayden completed his Waste Operations traineeship with HVTC and host employer, Shoalhaven City Council, in 2022 through competency-based completion. Jayden showed great dedication and aptitude both on-the-job and in his RTO studies, which allowed him to gain in-depth knowledge and experience across a number of operations within Council's Waste Management department. Jayden now works with Council full-time and continues to be an asset to the team.
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Woman in Non-Traditional Trade Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Charli Croker
Hosted to Upper Lachlan Shire Council
Charli undertook a Civil Construction apprenticeship with HVTC and Upper Lachlan Shire Council, which allowed her to develop a range of skills to benefit her career. Charli is a driven and motivated worker, always asking for feedback and advice from her colleagues. She was named HVTC's Apprentice of the Month in October 2022 and has secured a permanent role as a Plant Operator with Council post-completion.
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School-Based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year - Wil Osgood
Hosted to Shoalhaven City Council
In December 2022, Wil completed his Cert II in Conservation and Land Management as part of a School-Based Traineeship with HVTC and Shoalhaven City Council. Wil gained experience across all areas of the Environmental Services department at Council, while also completing his high-school studies and RTO training. As a proud Aboriginal man, Wil was passionate about learning all aspects of environmental conservation, and helping give back to the land.
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RTO Student of the Year - Bradley Robinson
RTO - Central Coast Community College
Hosted to Robinson Custom Fabrication
Bradley Robinson is a fourth-year Engineering Fabrication apprentice employed by HVTC and hosted to Robinson Custom Fabrication. Brad is currently completing his trade training with the Central Coast Community College and consistently demonstrates outstanding workmanship and dedication to both theoretical and practical training. Having impressed his trainers throughout his apprenticeship, Brad was nominated and subsequently named a finalist for the 2022 Community Education Student of the Year Award.
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RTO Online Student of the Year - Nicole Fowler
RTO - Central Coast Community College
Hosted to HVTC
Nicole Fowler completed a Certificate IV in Business Administration with the Central Coast Community College as part of a traineeship with HVTC. After having time off when she became a mother, Nicole decided to re-enter the workforce and thought a traineeship was the perfect opportunity. Having successful completed her course in just 8 months, Nicole has rolled over into a second traineeship with HVTC, where she is currently completing a Cert IV in Human Resources and continues to develop her skills with the recruitment team.
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RTO Achievement Award - Elizabeth Caporn
RTO - Central Coast Community College
Elizabeth Caporn completed a Cert III in Beauty Services with the Central Coast Community College before progressing into a Diploma of Beauty Therapy, which she completed in December 2022. With a long-standing interest in the beauty industry, Elizabeth decided to invest in her skillset and pursue a career she is passionate about, which also allowed her to care for her young family. Elizabeth impressed throughout the completion of both her qualifications with the College, consistently showing an enthusiastic and dedicated attitude to her training. Elizabeth now hopes to create her own business to provide beauty services for the community.
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Host Employer Innovation Award - NSW Department of Education
After identifying an industry need for IT and Cyber Security professionals, the NSW Dept of Education partnered with HVTC to deliver a state-wide traineeship program offering Certificate III and IV in Information Technology, and Certificate IV Cyber Security placements. The Department of Education IT traineeship program has supported 75 placements over the last two years across 36 host employer agencies. These trainees have been able to gain real industry experience with a Government department and fast-track their careers in a fast-growing, innovative industry.
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Host Employer Safety Award - Shoalhaven City Council
Shoalhaven City Council currently hosts almost 50 HVTC apprentices and trainees across a vast range of vocations, including Business, Horticulture, Civil Construction, Water Operations, Heavy Vehicle, Carpentry, Fabrication, and more. Council has a comprehensive online WHS management system and demonstrate a proactive and positive safety culture, where employees are encouraged to report hazards and incidents, as well as sharing safety alerts across all areas of Council work. Shoalhaven City Council conduct daily safety discussions across all sites and actively support hosted employees who experience workplace injuries by adapting work for suitable duties and monitoring their recovery at work.
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Small Host Employer of the Year - Hyden Engineering
Hyden is a family-owned business specialising in the installation and maintenance of hydraulic equipment and water spray systems on heavy earthmoving equipment. Hyden design, develop and support a range of products targeting the reduction of costs and maximising efficiency for the owners of machinery. Since winning Small Employer of the Year at the Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT Group Training Awards in 2019, Hyden has made a number of changes to their business, improving training opportunities and outcomes for all employees. Notably, Hyden gained their ISO 9001 and WHS 4500 certification, opening doors to new business opportunities on a global scale.
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Large Host Employer of the Year - Whitehaven Coal
Whitehaven Coal operates four mines in the Gunnedah Coal Basin in North West NSW, from which it produces high-quality metallurgical and thermal coal for export to advanced and developing economies across North and South East Asia. With the big picture in mind, Whitehaven has collaborated with HVTC for more than a decade to deliver an apprenticeship program dedicated to building a skilled workforce for the future, with 25 apprentices currently hosted across its mine sites. Whitehaven have produced many talented apprentices who have transitioned to ongoing roles within the organisation, and have gone on to achieve successful careers in the mining sector.
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Overall Host Employer of the Year - Service NSW
Since 2017, HVTC has worked with Service NSW to provide training and employment opportunities for people across the state. In this time, Service NSW have hosted almost 300 trainees across 95 different Service Centre locations, in roles including Digital Service Representatives, Data Analysts, and Customer Concierge Operators. In 2022, Service NSW implemented the Recovery program, creating an additional 72 traineeship positions to support the state’s recovery from the impacts of COVID-19. With a commitment to providing ongoing career development opportunities for their trainees, Service NSW maintains a high retention rate, with many trainees securing ongoing roles post-completion.
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