The event had its highest turn out in recent years with approximately 400 people attending including family, friends and sponsors who presented the major awards. Thirty Outstanding Achievement Awards, across various industry areas, were also presented to students who excelled in their studies last year.
Guest speaker Isabelle Croswell, 2018 WA Training Awards finalist, CRTAFE’s 2017 Apprentice of the year and previous National WorldSkills competitor, impressed the audience with her inspirational words of advice for the graduates. Isabelle is a high achiever who returned to complete her Hairdressing apprenticeship after becoming a mum. The student address was given by Hannah Read a graduating Veterinary Nursing student.
The evening also celebrated the achievements of Central Regional TAFE’s Geraldton 2018 graduates. There were over 850 students across CRTAFE’s three Geraldton campuses (Fitzgerald Street, Batavia Coast Maritime Institute and Technology Park) who graduated from qualifications in 2018, ranging from Certificate I to Diploma level. Over 100 were from a Diploma and Advanced Diploma level.
Celebrations for graduating students in the Gascoyne region (Carnarvon and Exmouth campuses) were held earlier this year.
Central Regional TAFE Managing Director Bill Swetman said the Graduation and Awards evening was a highlight on the college’s annual events calendar.
“It was great to see family, friends, industry partners and members of the community come together to support our students who have made a great effort to finish their training” he said.
“It is fantastic to see that many of the students who have graduated with their Diploma are currently employed in the region in the industry they’ve studied, and others have used their qualification as a pathway for further study” Mr Swetman said.
“The support by the local community in the Midwest has always been strong and we are proud of this fact. We thank our sponsors and industry partners for not only their support for the awards but also for their ongoing commitment to the future success of vocational education and training in our region” he said.
Vocational Student of the Year recipient Michelle Groom said she felt surprised by the Award and really proud of herself.
“I’ve had other successful careers but nothing with a formal qualification. TAFE has given me a qualification (Diploma of Nursing) and at age 50, I look forward to being able to make a difference in people’s lives during the remaining years of my own working life” she said.
Cameron Christie this year’s 2018 Apprentice of the Year recipient said studying at TAFE has been a great experience.
“Everyone is really supportive, blocks are structured and always fun” he said.
“Starting out completing a Certificate II pre-apprenticeship course led me to securing an apprenticeship and has now continued to enrolling in a second apprenticeship and becoming dual-trade qualified. It has really created opportunities and I’m really ecstatic to be recognised in this way” he said.
Major award winners will have the opportunity to apply for the 2019 WA State Training Awards. Central Regional TAFE had two state award finalists last year.
All graduates and award nominees were able to enjoy delicious refreshments, prepared and served by CRTAFE’s Commercial Cookery and Hospitality students, whilst networking with guests from local industry and the community.
