15 September 2023
North Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE) achieved a fantastic result at the annual WA Training Awards with three students and one lecturer announced as the state winners at a ceremony held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last night.
The annual awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, recognising the State's best apprentices, trainees, employers and training organisations across eight individual and five organisation award categories.
The prestigious WA Vocational Student of the Year Award which covers students across WA from all areas and delivery modes of study was awarded to our cyber security graduate Kai Baharthah-King.
Robert Nicolosi was awarded the WA School-based Apprentice of the Year after completing his sport and recreation traineeship while Olga Hurina, hailing from Ukraine and completing work health and safety qualifications, was announced as the WA Cultural Diversity Training Award.
Our lecturer Holly Gudsell was recognised as the WA Trainer of the Year for her instrumental work in setting up the delivery of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Support Officer course.
Congratulations to all award winners and a special mention to our six other students and two trainers who were also finalists on the night.
NMTAFE was also a finalist in the WA Industry Collaboration Award for our Art of Food Program with Sodexo.
Our BOOM Radio students also returned to host a live broadcast from the awards.
You can read the full profiles of our four winners below.
WA Vocational Student of the Year - Kai Baharthah-King
Advanced Diploma in Cybersecurity
In these days of heightened digital security awareness, Kai was an early starter in the industry. Being home-schooled, he attended cyber security workshops and was able to satisfy his thirst for knowledge by completing multiple online courses and competitions.
First enrolling in TAFE at the age of 15 to complete his Certificate III, he progressed through to the Advanced Diploma and secured a part-time job as a security analyst at Woodside, following a recommendation from his lecturer at only 16.
Now full-time at Woodside, he is the youngest security analyst on staff and cites attending the AISA conference in Melbourne – where he was a national cybersecurity finalist – as a particular highlight.
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year - Robert Nicolosi
Certificate III in Sport and Recreation - Employed by BlueFit – Leisure Employment Australia
Robert’s love for sport and fitness was the motivation behind his undertaking a traineeship with Leisure Employment Australia. While working at BlueFit – Belmont Leisure Centre, Robert has gained a range of new skills while completing a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation.
Described by his employer as a team player and leader, and the only trainee kids sports coordinator they have ever had, speaks volumes about Robert’s willingness to learn and lead.
Robert is well on his way to fulfilling his career aspirations of becoming a Physical Education teacher.
WA Cultural Diversity Training Award - Olga Hurina
Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety
In March 2022, Olga made the difficult decision to move to Western Australia from Ukraine on a humanitarian visa after the outbreak of war. Her husband encouraged her to make the journey, even though he could not leave due to the national ban on men emigrating.
Olga chose her course because she had experience in legal compliance in Ukraine and wanted to contribute to safer working environments.
So determined was she to perfect her English that she recently moved from living with her sister-in-law to an Australian host family who did not speak her language, and says they have been like second parents to her.
WA Trainer of the Year - Holly Gudsell
Education Support
A teaching position in a remote Aboriginal community in Fitzroy Crossing was the catalyst for a change in career direction for Holly, as she discovered an interest in Aboriginal education.
Having previously worked as a teacher and then abroad teaching English in Kenya and China, it was while lecturing in Education Support at North Metropolitan TAFE that Holly was approached to develop and deliver a new program for the Department of Education to upskill Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officers (AIEOs) across Perth Metropolitan Schools.
Holly developed a “mixed-mode” course that has successfully supported Aboriginal students through the Certificate III and IV in Education Support.
See a full list of all winners.(opens in a new tab)