Taree Business trainee tops the State
Wednesday 19th September 2007
Local student Sarsha Woolnough, has outshone students from across NSW to be named top trainee in the State at the 2007 NSW Training Awards.
The top achiever completed the Certificate IV in Business Marketing at Taree Campus in 2006, and has won a string of awards, including both the Taree District Award, and the NSW Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement, two TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute Student Achievement Awards, the Best Customer Service Award at the Networking 2004 Regional Trade Fair and the North Coast Region Trainee of the Year.
Ms Woolnough, Office Coordinator/Marketing Manager at Century 21 Real Estate in Taree says that winning the award was the perfect end to her studies.
“It was an awesome experience to come first in the State. I was massively surprised that I won and the fist thing I did when I found out was thank my TAFE teachers.
Head Teacher of Business Deb Polson, says that Ms Woolnough’s potential was obvious in her studies.
“Sarsha’s pathway through TAFE here at Taree has reflected her clear and focussed approach to her career,” said Mrs Polson.
“The two year Certificate IV course she chose had modules in business and marketing, and offered a balanced grounding for her growing real estate career.
“This latest award is testament to her abilities and we all wish her well in her future career,” Ms Polson said.
Teacher Lexie Stephens who taught Ms Woolnough two years previously, as a TVET (TAFE-delivered Vocational Education and training) student at Chatham High School, was equally impressed.
“Sarsha knew that she wanted a career in business marketing while at school, and chose to study a Certificate II course in Business Studies as part of her HSC. She passed the course with distinction and credit grades,” said Ms Stephens.
Ms Stephens said that Ms Woolnough was consistently in the top 5 at high school in business studies, Legal Studies, English and Maths.
“Sarsha’s is a great example of how school students can make significant progress along their career path through the flexible vocational approach offered by the NSW Department of Education and Training and TAFE NSW,” says Ms Stephens.
Ms Woolnough says that her work placement at a small real estate agency while she was a TVET student got her hooked on the real estate business.
“Three years later, I really love my work – every day in real estate brings something new. Whether it’s young people looking to get their first home to the big property developers – it is all a challenge, and really satisfying when everyone ends up happy with the result,” said Ms Woolnough.
Sarsha’s employer, Edward Ryan, Principal of Century 21 Real Estate in Taree, said they were behind Ms Woolnough 100 per cent.
“Sarsha’s is a key person, and has been doing her job admirably for the past three years – we are very pleased for her success in these awards,” Mr Ryan said.
As well as winning a trip to Europe and a Sydney Harbour cruise as part of the Award, Ms Woolnough will be competing with other State winners for the 2007 Australian Trainee of the Year Award, which will be announced in Hobart on 8 November, 2007.
