Meet the 2025 NSW Training Awards
Ambassadors
Our Ambassadors are a team of exceptional NSW Training Awards winners and finalists who together, highlight the opportunities, pathways and benefits offered in VET.
They attend schools, award shows and career expos sharing their VET journey, helping spread the word about VET and the success that comes with it.
Samantha Zannes
2024 Vocational Student of the Year
2024 Australian Vocational Student of the Year Runner up
Qualification Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Trained by ECTARC
Employed by Jenny's Kindergarten and Early Learning Centre – Bathurst
Region Western NSW Region
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Samantha Zannes is championing success for students with diverse needs, and she’s used VET to support her career trajectory. Initially trained as a Primary School Special Education Teacher, Samantha took time away to raise her own children. After a 10-year hiatus, she was ready to return to the profession but wanted to connect with an approach that mirrored her personal education philosophy. Samantha knew the importance of early intervention for students with additional needs and therefore set her focus on obtaining a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care. From here, Samantha moved into the role of Assistant Director and Educational Leader at an early learning centre. Off the back of her win at the 2024 NSW Training Awards and being awarded Runner Up at the 2024 Australian Training Awards, Samantha has continued her growth. She is now working part time at Kelso Public School and completing her Certificate IV in Training & Assessment so she can support the next generation of educators.
Gabby Ward
2024 VET in Schools Student of the Year
Qualification Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Trained by TAFE NSW
School Peel High School
Region New England Region
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You’d be forgiven for thinking Gabriella Ward is older than her 18 years, her achievements are impressive and her commitment to forging a path is unmatched. Since finishing Year 12 (complete with an ATAR), taking out the title of 2024 VET in Schools Student of the Year, and becoming a VET Ambassador, Gabby knows she has an exciting future ahead.
Now, while working in an older persons’ mental health unit in Tamworth Hospital, Gabby is weighing up several options on where to complete her Bachelors in Nursing. Never one to settle for downtime, Gabby also makes time to visit high schools as a VET Ambassador so she can talk to students, parents, and community members about VET pathways. She is fast becoming a standout representative for the endless opportunities that VET can provide in NSW, and she’s set herself up for a long and successful career in health.
Dascha Harrison
2024 School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
2024 Australian School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Runner up
Qualification Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Trained by TAFE NSW
Employed by Hunter New England Local Health District
School Newcastle High School
Region Hunter & Central Coast Region
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Dascha Harrison is committed to making a difference in the health industry and, since her win at the 2024 NSW Training Awards, she has already achieved some huge wins in her career. Dascha’s own experiences as a teenager receiving holistic care are what set her on the path to become a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, and her VET pathway gave her a huge head start in the field. These days, Dascha is busy working at a residential eating disorder centre and helping to design programs for patients, studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Newcastle, and doing support work for clients with traumatic brain injuries. Dascha is well and truly making headway towards her dream career and modelling success for other young people while she’s at it.
Keep an eye on her as she continues to reach bigger and better milestones in the health industry.
Michael Pfeffer
2024 VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
Field of study Hospitality
Employed by Public Schools NSW, Wagga Wagga
Region Illawarra & South East NSW Region
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Michael Pfeffer is committed to supporting students to find their passion in the hospitality industry, and it’s thanks to his past career as a chef that he’s been able to embed practical learning into his lessons.
The love that Michael’s students have for the industry mirror his own love for the work. His experience in fine-dining restaurants, cafés, and hotels for 10 years prior to becoming a teacher is what differentiates him from his contemporaries. Described by his colleagues at Dapto High School as a beacon of positivity and encouragement, Michael’s ability to inspire can also be attributed to the immense belief in what he does. He’s not only established a cafe in the school grounds for his students to gain real-world experience, but he’s also led the NSW WorldSkills Commercial Cookery team in 2023 and 2025. With his well-rounded exeperience and knack for sharing the benefits of VET with others, he is opening doors for students, employers and community members alike.
Baylun Williams-Pinkie
2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Qualification Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Trained by TAFE NSW
Region Central & Northern Sydney Region
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Baylun Williams-Pinkie's vocational education and training pathway aligned with his goals, connected him into a massive support network, and gave him the foundation to thrive. After a huge 2024 where Baylun became a fully qualified electrician and won the 2024 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, Baylun has continued to make waves in his industry and champion his community.
Now working as a Breakdowns Electrician, Baylun is also completing his Cetificate III and IV in Industrial Instrumentation and is keen to gain further training in High Voltage Electrical work. Balancing his work as a fully qualified electrician with running an Indigenous dance group, Baylun also makes time to advocate for VET pathways, in the hopes that other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access the life-changing opportunities that he did.
Lachlan Carey
2024 Trainee of the Year
2024 Australian Trainee of the Year Runner up
Qualification Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Trained by Atkinson Training & Development
Employed by A Magical Time Childrens Centre
Region Hunter & Central Coast Region
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Suffering two strokes in year 10 that required multiple surgeries and lengthy recovery times, Lachlan Carey was unable to return to school and decided to pursue his passion for educating kids via a traineeship. Bringing his fun, nurturing and patient nature to every interaction in his traineeship, he was immediately adored by colleagues, families and, most importantly, the children in his care. As someone with dyslexia, Lachlan found the pace and style of learning game changing.
When Lachlan was named 2024 Australian Trainee of the Year, he didn’t realise just how significantly he would change the face of Early Childhood Education and Care. 12 months on, Lachlan spends his time making a difference in the lives of little learners, promoting a growing industry, and advocating for other young men to consider non-traditional vocations. Excitingly, he’s beginning his Bachelor of Early Childhood at University of Wollongong, which he’ll complete in just 2 years thanks to his prior studies through VET.
Rachael Pearson
2024 Apprentice of the Year
Qualification Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
Trained by TAFE NSW
Employed by Newmont
Region Western NSW Region
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Rachael Pearson is a multi-skilled and highly decorated individual with a big future ahead of her. She’s a shining example for what’s possible with vocational education and training. After winning NSW Apprentice of the Year in 2024 for her Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade) qualification, Rachael has established herself as a role model for young women in trades and young women in rugby across NSW. Impressively, Rachael has not only represented NSW in the Women’s State of Origin 2022, but she also balanced her apprenticeship while playing for the St George Illawarra Dragons’ NRLW team. Now a Co-Captain of the NRLW Parramatta Eels, she’s safe in the knowledge that she will have her trade to come back to at any point throughout her career journey.
Caitlyn Knox
2023 Women in Trades
Qualification Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
Trained by TAFE NSW
Employed by Komatsu Australia Pty Ltd
Region Southern & South Western Sydney
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Caitlyn Knox relocated 600km away from her regional home town, in the middle of COVID, to start her apprenticeship with Komatsu. It ended up being a wonderful decision that allowed her to gain her Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology and establish herself as a leader amongst her peers. Caitlyn is now in a formal leadership position as Health and Safety Representative, she has increased confidence in her skills and knowledge, and she's advocating for women to find the right trade pathways for them.
Not only a leader in her workplace, Caitlyn has emerged as a role model for secondary students in NSW; she regularly visits schools to speak with students about VET pathways and the trade industry.
After many years of exploring her career options, Caitlyn has truly found her place in the world, and she's gained immense respect both inside and outside of her workplace for her achievements.
Bridie Searle
2023 NSW Trainee of the Year
2023 Australian Trainee of the Year
MC Ambassador
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In 2022, Bridie Searle had never been on a ship. Her traineeship has allowed her to step up and manage million-dollar maritime projects. Bridie has worked on Destroyers, guided missiles and even flexed her skills as a crane co-ordinator; a testament to her dedication, enthusiasm and people skills.
Now with the title of 2023 Australian Trainee of the Year, Bridie is a VET Ambassador in NSW, and set herself up a business delivering life skills to secondary students across the nation.
Nathan Turner
2022 Central & Northern Sydney VET in Schools Student of the Year Winner
MC Ambassador
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Dedicated to turning his dream of working at Taronga Zoo into reality, International Grammar School student, Nathan, embarked on VET qualification while still in school. Studying a Certificate III in Tourism, Travel & Events with TAFE NSW, while completing an internship with Taronga Zoo, Nathan expanded his skills, experience and confidence, and becoming involved in meaningful conservation initiatives.
Since graduating and claiming the title of 2022 VET in Schools Student of the Year for Central & Northern Sydney, Nate has established himself as an irreplaceable member of the Taronga Zoo team. Nate also goes out of his way to share his passion for zookeeping and tourism with secondary students in NSW as a VET Ambassador.