Stereotypes smashed in 2024 NSW Training Awards, with strong showing for ECEC

Gender stereotypes have been smashed at the 2024 New South Wales Training Awards, with NSW State of Origin women’s rugby league player, Rachael Pearson named Apprentice of the Year and early childhood educator Lachlan Carey, who was forced to give up league after suffering two strokes as a teenager, named the 2024 Trainee of the Year.

The Awards, which were held at Sydney Town Hall on Friday 13 September, proved to be a strong showing for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, with winners in the Trainee of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year and Small Employee of the Year categories all secured by those in the sector. 

Samantha Zannes (lead image) from the regional NSW community of Kelso was named as Vocational Student of the Year, for the success she has experience in completing an ECEC qualification, while Early Childhood & Co. Services Pty Ltd was named Small Employer of the Year. 

An inspirational story of resilience

Mr Carey, who is completing his  Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) traineeship at Newcastle’s A Magical Time Children’s Centre has overcome several challenges in his young life, making the award an extra significant achievement.

Having experienced not one but two strokes in Year 10, which required multiple surgeries to recover from, he was forced to quit playing rugby league, and did not return to school to complete Year 12. 

The silver lining of his setbacks was finding his way into the ECEC sector, a place where he is able to make a profound impact on the children and families he works with. 

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

“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.”

Strong female presence 

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

Apprentice of the Year Rachael Pearson has enjoyed a great deal of success throughout her vocational education and training journey, with the awards judging panel describing her as a “multi-skilled, highly decorated individual and a shining example for what’s possible with vocational education”.

Having excelled in her mechanical engineering apprenticeship she 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 Women in Trade Apprentice of the Year in 2023. 

The 31-year-old has since 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.

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.

“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,” Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said.

“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.”

“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.”

The Sector extends congratulations to all winners, wishing them the best for their future endeavours.