SW students among training awards

Bunbury and the South West will be well represented at the upcoming WA Training Awards with five students named as finalists.

Tahleisha Bennell-Mustica, Bukonla Olayeni, Martin Gillies and Chloe Baigent were all named as finalists in different categories, while Rebecca Lee Hudson will be up for the top award, WA Trainee of the Year.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said the finalists were making a positive contribution to WA and described the awards as a springboard for them to continue to raise the profile of their chosen careers.

“The WA Training Awards are an opportunity to really shine a light on, celebrate and honour the achievements of the many outstanding performers in the VET sector,” she said.

Bukonla Olayeni and Chloe Baigent both studied at South Regional TAFE and could hardly describe what it would mean to them if they won.

“I really worked hard before getting to this stage,” Mrs Olayeni said.

“I asked them again and again if they were kidding me and they said it was true, I was just screaming.

“I would return all the glory to god and to my lectures because I believe I am really blessed...they are the brains behind all this.”

Busselton-based finalist Mrs Baigent said it would mean the world to her if she won the WA Vocational Student of the Year award and the training had changed her life.

“I want to make everybody aware that they can have the potential to change their career no matter where they started from,” she said.

Bunbury MLA Don Punch congratulated all of the finalists and said the future of the community was bright with so many trainees local trainees having been nominated.

“This strong showing is a reflection of the quality of training and of students in our community,” he said.

The winners of the WA Training Awards will be announced in Perth on September 13.