TALENTED Year 12 student James Gordon has been awarded Western NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year in the 2016 NSW Training Awards.
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The Bathurst High student, who is completing his final year of high school, already has his sights on the future.
Alongside his regular school subjects, James, 18, is also undertaking three vocational education and training (VET) courses: Engineering Certificate I, Agriculture Certificate II and Construction Certificate II.
“I just find them really interesting. I enjoy them as a hobby and as a future career path,” he said.
James was surprised to learn he was a finalist for the award, and stunned to win it.
“I was excited. I couldn’t really comprehend it,” he said.
Bathurst High VET co-ordinator Heidi Waldron said James had won praise from his trainers during the past 18 months of his VET studies.
“He has an outstanding knowledge of agriculture and the construction industry,” she said.
Ms Waldron said VET courses were an opportunity for “hands-on” students to learn nationally-recognised skills while completing their high school studies.
James has had the opportunity to undertake work placements to try out each industry during his three VET courses.
“You learn a lot by going in the industry ... it helps you get your foot in the door,” he said.
James has already received an apprenticeship offer from Bathurst company, Hines Construct-ions.
“I’ll be doing a carpentry apprenticeship with Hines Constructions, but I’ll start after I finish my HSC,” he said.
Hines Constructions managing director David Hines said James assisted with recent renovations at the George Hotel.
“He performed really well and already had a lot of skills we wouldn’t normally expect from a work placement student,” he said.
Mr Hines said it was James’ skills on the job, and his understanding of construction, that led to the offer of an apprenticeship for 2017.
“This is the first time I’ve ever promised an apprenticeship a year out,” he said.
James and five other regional winners will now progress to the state finals in Sydney later this year.
The awards are conducted annually by the NSW Department of Industry to recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector.
