25 local TAFE NSW students joined over 200 other degree graduates from across the state at the Higher Education Graduation Ceremony at TAFE NSW Ultimo earlier this month.

Four of the students who won awards at the event, amongst a group of only 20 award winners, were from the Newcastle and Hunter region.

Jessica Heemskerk from Holmesville, a Diploma of Applied Commerce graduate from TAFE NSW Newcastle and previous Bean Counters Scholarship winner, won the Managing Director’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement for her course. So too did Alex Townsend from Eleebana, an Associate Degree of Applied Engineering (Renewable Energy Technologies) graduate from TAFE NSW Newcastle.

Tingira Heights resident Jadine Penhall, a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care (Birth-5) graduate from TAFE NSW Glendale, won the TAFE NSW Higher Education Award for Outstanding Student for her course. So too did Bradley Scott, who moved from the mid North Coast to Newcastle to study the Associate Degree of Applied Engineering (Renewable Energy Technologies) course.

Bradley said he was honoured to receive the award.

“As a species, we need to evolve our environmental practices, otherwise we perish. The average Australian is finding affording electricity and so on challenging despite us having an abundance of resources we don’t harness. That is where engineers come in – we solve problems,” Bradley said.

“Now I have finished my TAFE NSW studies I am completing my Bachelor studies at university and then plan to specialise in chemical engineering, specifically in biomass for Newcastle region. Put simply, it’s about working with our region’s plant materials and exploring how to extract the energy out of them… the breakdown of those products into alternate products that can be harnessed for energy.”

TAFE NSW Regional General Manager, Susie George, commended the graduates on their commitment and dedication to studying a degree at TAFE NSW, which has equipped them with the practical skills and work experience they need to pursue their chosen career.

“I am delighted to have attended the ceremony and personally wish our graduates every success as they pursue their professional careers,” Susie said.

“TAFE NSW now offers 1,200-plus courses, diplomas and degrees, many of which are available to study on our doorstep or online. This continually evolves to meet the Hunter region’s ever-changing training and education needs, and those of the national and global workforce. Our finger is on the pulse of employment opportunities.

“Recent TAFE NSW research shows prospects across the NSW Central Coast to North Coast lie especially within the health, wellbeing and community services, and infrastructure, energy and construction, sectors. These have the largest and second largest forecasted increase in employment to 2021, accounting for a 19.8% and 19.6% share of employment respectively. The technology and business services sector comes in third at 19.2%.

“Interestingly, these findings align perfectly with our current local TAFE NSW higher education offerings.”

IMAGE | Bachelor of Early Childhood and Care (Birth-5) graduates.