Central and Northern Sydney Region
The NSW Training Awards are celebrated throughout the state by 9 regional programs. View other regions.
2025 Metro Sydney Training Awards digital program available here
The Central and Northern Sydney region spans from Broken Bay in the north to Botany Bay in the south and includes the Hills District to the west. This diverse region is committed to developing skills through traineeships, apprenticeships, and vocational qualifications.
In 2025, for the first time, the Central & Northern Sydney Training Awards will be combining with the Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Training Awards and the Southern & South Western Sydney Training Awards to crown winners from all three regions in one Metro Sydney Training Awards event.
Key Objectives for 2025
Supporting excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET) through the Training Awards
Managing regional nominations, interviews, shortlisting, and feedback
Celebrating the achievements of local VET students, apprentices, trainees, and employers
Facilitating community participation in the Regional Training Awards
Providing guidance and support for Regional Training Awards winners progressing to the NSW Training Awards
Providing day-to-day support for all VET learners, trainers, teachers, and training organisations across the region
2025 Finalists
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lillie Loveridge | School Based Education Support | Sydney Catholic Schools | Sydney Catholic Schools | Brigidine College Randwick |
| Tyirell Raymonde-Salmon | Horticulture | Waverley Council | Murray Mallee Training Company Ltd | Matraville Sports High School |
Apprentice of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | Host Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Fleeton Seddon | Engineering - Mechanical Trade | Thales Australia Ltd | - | TAFE NSW |
| Nicole Koprivec | Hairdressing | The Mane Space | - | TAFE NSW |
| Rebecca Nissenbaum | Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology | Automotive Group Training (NSW) | Mercedes Benz North Shore | TAFE NSW |
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aliyah Gordon | Business | Souths Cares | TAFE NSW | St Andrew’s Cathedral School |
| Charlotte Toms | Retail | KFC - Randwick | KFC | St Clare’s College |
| Troy Vale | Business | MTR Australia | Tactical Training Group | Colyton High School |
Trainee of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | Host Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Burton | Project Management Practice | Apprenticeship Careers Australia | NSW Department of Education School Infrastructure | TAFE NSW |
| Ethan Gladman | Project Management Practice | Thales Australia Ltd | - | Australian College of Commerce & Management |
| Camille Good | Live Production and Technical Services | Sydney Opera House | - | Victorian Arts Centre Trust (VACT) |
VET in Schools Student of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridie Irwin | Retail | Woolworths | Sydney Catholic Schools | Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington |
| Nicole Jewkes | Hospitality | NSW Department of Education | Asquith Girls High School | |
| Sienna Sultana | Business | Sydney Catholic Schools | Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington |
VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Bokenham | Primary Industries | Association of Independent Schools of NSW |
| Sandra Wograndl | Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up Services) | The National Institute of Dramatic Art |
Vocational Student of the Year
| Name | Industry | Employer | RTO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marnie Sebire | Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) | - | TAFE NSW |
| Hannah Wilkinson | Veterinary Nursing | Greencross Vets Ku-Ring-Gai | TAFE NSW |
Key Industries in the Region
Central Sydney's CBD hosts 22% of Greater Sydney’s jobs, with a focus on finance, professional, creative industries, tourism, retail and hospitality supported by major transport infrastructure like the Sydney Metro.
Northern Sydney ranges from small business include trade-based occupations through to education, technical and professional services, with hubs like Macquarie Park, Chatswood, and North Sydney driving economic growth and global competitiveness within the Eastern Economic Corridor.
Apprenticeships in the region include:
Cert III in carpentry
Cert III Electrotechnology Electrician
Cert II Plumbing
Cert III Light Vehicle Mechanical; Technology
Cert II Hairdressing
Traineeships in the region include:
Cert III Retail
Cert III Early Childhood Education and Care
Cert II Individual Support
Cert IV Real Estate Practice
Cert III business
Notable Alumni
2024 State Winner and Australian Training Awards Finalist
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Baylun Williams-Pinkie
2024 State Finalists
Apprentice of the Year Finalist – Lauren Calleja
Trainee of the Year Finalist – Tiana Riley
Vet Trainer/Teacher of the Year Finalist – Joanna Doherty
Vocational Student of the Year Finalist – Remi Collins
2023
- Trainee of the Year Winer (NSW & Australia) – Bridie Searle
2021
- Trainee of the Year Winner (NSW & Australia) - Megan Cox
- Vocational Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Gabriella Adeline
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Finalist (People’s Choice NSW) - Tyler Pockran
2020
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Winner (NSW) - Janaya Millgate
2019
- Trainee of the Year Finalist (NSW) - Maddison Camilleri
Postcodes Covered by this Region
Contact details
For more information about the Central & Northern Sydney Regional Training Awards, please contact:
Michelle Heuving
E: Michelle.Heuving@det.nsw.edu.au
M: 0477 393 218