Caillan Baker is HVTC Trainee of the Year

Study for a Certificate III in Business Administration has seen Murwillumbah student Caillan Baker take out the Trainee of the Year accolade at the 2019 HVTC Excellence Awards.

HVTC provides workforce solutions to meet the training and workforce needs of business and industry.

Caillan, who attended the Awards ceremony in Newcastle last Friday night, was recognised alongside 14 other award winners from across NSW.

The 20-year-old is completing a Certificate III in Business Administration qualification with HVTC and host employer, Murwillumbah Community Health Centre (Northern NSW Local Health District) and is due to complete in the coming months.

Caillan said she was incredibly shocked to find out she had been chosen as the recipient of the Trainee of the Year Award, which was sponsored by the NSW Minerals Council.

‘It was an incredible feeling being named HVTC’s Trainee of the Year,’ said Caillan. ‘This is my first job so I really wasn’t expecting to win, but I’m really proud of myself.’

Caillan says the traineeship has taught her many new things about NSW Health and working within the health system. ‘I believe it is a fantastic starting point for people new to the workforce as a whole, or for anyone interested in starting a career in the health sector.’

HVTC CEO Sharon Smith said the achievements of trainees like Caillan highlight the important role the VET sector plays in the upskilling of Australia’s future workforce. ‘The HVTC Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate the high calibre of our apprentices, trainees, students and the many host employers we partner with to deliver skills training and employment opportunities across NSW,’ she said.

‘The traineeship has been a great experience and both NSW Health and HVTC have been so helpful,’ said Caillan. ‘I’m now looking forward to progressing in my career and embarking on new challenges.’