28 March, 2019

TAFE NSW National Environment Centre student Gustavo Martins has been honoured for his academic achievement and positive work ethic at the prestigious 2019 TAFE NSW Excellence Awards in Albury today.

Mr Martins, who completed a Certificate IV in Permaculture at TAFE NSW National Environment Centre (NEC) in 2018, was announced as International Student of the Year and Agribusiness Student of the Year at the gala awards ceremony at Albury’s Hovell Tree Inn.

The awards recognise the pinnacle of achievement for TAFE NSW students across 29 campuses in Southern NSW.

Mr Martins, one of a host of overseas students studying permaculture at the campus, has worked with tribes in the Brazilian Amazon for a decade and has enrolled in the course to learn new techniques to make their homes more sustainable.

The NEC is the nation’s leading accredited training provider for permaculture, a system of agricultural and social design principles centred around simulating the patterns of nature.

An ecstatic Mr Martins said he would use the award as a platform to educate more people about permaculture.

“I really believe in permaculture and hopefully these awards help open more doors,” he said.

“If it helps promote the importance of permaculture, then I’m very happy.”

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Kerry Penton commended the winners for setting a benchmark in their chosen areas of study and helping inspire other students to follow suit.

“These awards recognise our most passionate, industrious and skilful students, and the fact teachers are the ones who nominate the students makes it even more special,” Ms Penton said.

“I have no doubt these students will go on to forge highly successful careers and will be wonderful ambassadors for TAFE NSW.”

Ms Penton said the awards exemplified TAFE NSW’s commitment to training the workforce leaders of tomorrow.

“TAFE NSW is proud to equip students with practical skills and work experience so they’re ready to hit the ground running in their chosen field.

“The fact is, TAFE NSW graduates earn higher wages, on average, than university graduates when they enter the workforce. They also have a higher employment rate than university graduates, with 82 per cent of TAFE NSW graduates gaining employment after training.

“TAFE NSW is Australia’s largest education provider and has the greatest range of courses to support any career.”

2019 TAFE NSW Excellence Awards Honour Roll:

* Student of the Year: Philip Freeland

* Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Students of the Year: Nicole Smith

* Apprentice of the Year: Renee Jones

* International Student of the Year: Gustavo Martins

* Trainee of the Year: Taylor Piper

* Agribusiness Student of the Year: Gustavo Martins

* Career Pathways, Aboriginal Languages and Employability Skills Student of the Year: Philip Freeland

* Health, Wellbeing and Community Services Student of the Year: Jisha Davies

* Infrastructure, Energy and Construction Student of the Year: Emma Tyrrell

* Innovative Manufacturing, Robotics and Science Student of the Year: Emma Godsell

* Supply Chain and eCommerce Student of the Year: Luke Baker

* Technology and Business Services Student of the Year: Louise Carroll

* Tourism and Experience Services Student of the Year: Renee Jones

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner,  6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.