Two TAFE NSW students from Ryde have been recognised for their academic achievements and positive work ethic at the TAFE NSW Excellence Awards in Ryde yesterday.

Elizabeth Mead from North Ryde and Max Miles from Eastwood were announced as the winners at a gala awards ceremony held at TAFE NSW Ryde.

Elizabeth Mead, completed a Diploma of Event Management at TAFE NSW Ryde, and was announced as winner of the International Student of the Year. Max Miles, completed a Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways at TAFE NSW Meadowbank, and was announced as winner of the Career Pathways Aboriginal Languages and Employability Skills Student of the Year.

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Alison Wood, commended the winners for the commitment and dedication they have shown to their studies.

“These awards recognise our most passionate, industrious and skillful students, and demonstrates the commitment of TAFE NSW to train the workforce leaders of the future when, where and how it suits them,” Ms Wood said.

“We are confident that the exciting learning opportunities we created for these winners helped them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their career.

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

“It’s incredibly rewarding for TAFE NSW teachers to watch students like Elizabeth and Max grow in the knowledge that the skills and talents they learn with us have the potential to transform their lives,” Ms Wood concluded.

Elizabeth, originally from the United Kingdom, chose to study at TAFE NSW because of the practical hands on experience she would receive.

“I knew that if I wanted to be successful in this industry, I had to study somewhere that offered practical workplace experience, and not just learn about the theory side of things in the classroom. I’ve wanted to work in events for the last four years, as this is something that I am passionate about. I enjoy working with others and delegating tasks in order to achieve a common goal to bring people closer together.

“Thanks to TAFE NSW, I’ve been fortunate enough to work at a number of events attended by more than 10,000 people. These include The Sydney International Boat Show, Intel Extreme Masters, PAX Melbourne (eSports tournaments) and the Melbourne Esports Open. Being able to work at large scale and prestigious event in Convention Centers and Stadiums around Australia has truly been an incredible experience,” Ms Mead said.

Max is a mature age career changer who worked in the hospitality industry for 27 years as a fine-dining chef. Max decided to return to study at TAFE NSW so he could up-skill, reenter the workforce and decide what career path he wanted to pursue.

“Since enrolling at TAFE NSW, I’ve gained the confidence in my ability to study at my own pace with the occasional help from teachers. With my newfound confidence, I now have the ability to complete further study, and not being afraid of making mistakes, or asking for help.

“Gaining basic skills in literacy has given me the confidence to attempt courses that I would never have tried in the past. It has given me self-determination to complete more challenging tasks and taken me out of my comfort zone. I now have the ambition to pursue a career in the Maritime industry, and would eventually like to become a Maritime Engineer.

“I would encourage anyone with a literacy difficulties, regardless of age, to do something about it. This can be achieved by overcoming your personal barriers and attending basic literacy classes to learn skills which may have been missed out at school. I would like to motivate more people to pick up the phone and call TAFE NSW as this can change their future. The hardest thing is making the first step,” said Mr Miles.

Media contact: Laura Kelly, Media and Communications Business Partner, laura.kelly40@tafensw.edu.au, mobile: 0411 777 676