Swan Valley Anglican Community School students hopeful of win at WA Training Awards

TWO Swan Valley Anglican Community School students have been named as finalists in the WA Training Awards.

Year 12 student Caitlin Whittle was nominated for the School-based Apprentice of the Year for her work in the school’s hospitality program and Jess Haydon was nominated as a finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year award for his school-based traineeship in the civil construction industry.

The students will attend the awards presentation dinner at Crown next month.

Caitlin said the course had given her life skills in leadership and how to cope in stressful situations.

“It’s helped me with schoolwork and how to deal with stress a lot better,” she said.

“Hospitality is a big interest of mine.

“I started the course as a break from my ATAR subjects and now I am thinking of taking a gap year and working in hospitality to get more experience.”

Jess said he had always been interested in machinery from a young age and his traineeship had cemented his passion.

He said ever since starting his traineeship, he had never missed a day.

“I really enjoy it and I’m hoping I will be able to get a job with the company I am doing work experience with and go for my Certificate III in the next couple of years,” he said.

Swan Valley Anglican Community School principal Melissa Powell said it was a huge achievement that two students had been named as finalists.

“What they have achieved is a testament to the students and the school,” she said.

“They are both great role models for other students at the school who are considering going down similar paths.”