Westport High School student Ryan Ford has taken home the prized honour of the North Coast Region School Based Trainee/Apprentice of the Year.
He and co-student Julian Tydd were nominated in the School Based category at this year’s State Training Awards.
Only three finalists in NSW made it through — and two were from Westport High School.
NSW winners have the opportunity to compete with winners from all states and territories for the Australian Training Awards. The NSW awards ceremony was held in Coffs Harbour on Friday.
Westport High School’s School Based Apprenticeship Program allows Years 10, 11 and 12 students to combine paid work with a nationally recognised industry qualification and provides credit towards their HSC study program.
Julian is employed by Mid Coast Group Training at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and is completing a Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance with our local North Coast Institute of TAFE.
Julian intends to pursue a career in the Health Industry post-HSC and currently works one day a week at the Hospital.
He will exit his HSC with three qualifications: HSC; Certificate III in Allied Health; and a Statement of Proficiency from NSW State Training Services.
Ryan is currently completing the first year of his Engineering (Mechanical) apprenticeship in the family business, Midcoast Compressed Air. Stage 1 of Ryan’s apprenticeship is being delivered by Westport High School’s engineering teacher, Roger McClintock, who was at the awards ceremony in Coffs Harbour with both boys last Friday evening.
Ryan will also exit his HSC with multiple accreditations and will roll into the second year of his apprenticeship post-school.
For more information on school based apprenticeships in the Hastings Region please contact Kim Clarke, School Based Apprenticeship Adviser on 6591 7624.
