An automotive apprentice who loves working on farm machinery and a trainee with a passion for sports education have taken out top honours at the 2019 NSW Training Awards for the Riverina.
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Agricultural mechanical technology apprentice Evan Gargaro from Hay was named apprentice of the year, while sport and recreation trainee Samuel Heffernan from Wagga took out the trainee of the year award.
David Collins from the Department of Industry said Mr Gargaro's enthusiasm for farm mechanics shone from the start of his apprenticeship at farm machinery dealership Hutcheon and Pearce.
"Evan's latest win caps off a swag of awards he has already collected including his company's apprentice of the year award, TAFE Riverina's agricultural apprentice of the year, and a Rotary leadership award," Mr Collins said.
Mr Gargaro had his heart set on becoming an agricultural mechanical technician.
"I was lucky enough to get work experience at Hutcheon and Pearce when I was at school and from that day on I knew it was the job for me," he said.
Mr Collins said Mr Heffernan was considered such an outstanding sports education trainee that the Catholic Education Office in Wagga offered him a teacher support role following his traineeship.
"Evan and Samuel were judged the cream of this year's crop but the quality of all finalists and winners at the Riverina Awards was outstanding and testament to our world class vocational education and training (VET) sector so I congratulate all."
Mr Heffernan said he was shocked to be named as the winner.
"To be recognised like this and to have the opportunity to represent at the state level is beyond what I could have imagined," he said.
Also at awards, Patricia Espie-Whitburn of Tumut was named Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year, while Whitton's Amber Parr was named school-based apprentice/ trainee of the year.
Grace Mattingly of Euberta was named the VET in schools student of the year and Erinvale's Clare Gibbs was named vocational student of the year.
Ms Gibbs, who studies at TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre in North Wagga, spent much of her career as a chef, but now plans to help run the family farm near Temora.
"This has been a huge learning curve for me and a real career 180," Ms Gibbs said.
"I'd really like to thank my TAFE NSW teachers who pushed me and guided me all the way and my family and friends who supported me in my decision to change career."