Rachael shines on national stage.

The 2024 Australian Training Awards were held in Canberra last Friday night, with Zeal Futures alumni Rachael Pearson recognised as one of the top apprentices in the country.

Starting her career as a trade’s assistant, Rachael moved to Wollongong to pursue a career in rugby league.

While making her NRLW debut with the St George Dragons, Rachael undertook a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with Zeal Futures, working underground at the Appin underground mine run by South32.

Rachael excelled in her trade from the beginning, winning the Stan Gilmore Memorial Award for first place in Stage 1 Fitting-Machining at TAFE NSW in her first year.

Since then, she has racked up numerous accolades, including the 2023 Women in Trade Award at Apprentice Employment Network (AEN) NSW & ACT Awards, the 2024 Zeal Futures Woman in Non-Traditional Trade Apprentice of the Year, and Apprentice of the Year in the NSW Training Awards.

As an apprentice Rachael took the lead on various projects on site, resulting in consistent positive feedback from her supervisors and peers.

On the footy field, she has represented NSW in the Women’s State of Origin and is currently the halfback and co-Captain at the Parramatta Eels and an active NRLW ambassador.

During her apprenticeship, Rachael became an NRL VET Ambassador and NSW Mining Ambassador advocating for more young people to consider VET pathways and careers in mining.

This year, Play Rugby League Southwest NSW even named the Schoolgirl Trophy Final the Rachael Pearson Shield in honour of her achievements.

Zeal Futures CEO Sharon Smith congratulated Rachael on her success, which she said is further proof of the value of group training organisations (GTOs) in the vocational education and training (VET) industry.

“On behalf of Zeal Futures, I’d like to congratulate Rachael on a great career, which is only just beginning,” she said.

“Despite not taking home the Apprentice of the Year title, representing your state at the national level is no small feat. Not many people can say they were a finalist for the best apprentice in the country, so she should be incredibly proud of her achievements.”

“This is a testament to Rachael’s character and solidifies her place as a role model,” Ms Smith said.

Ms Smith said Rachael follows in the footsteps of other Zeal Futures employees recognised at the national level, including Cassandra O’Carroll - 2020 Australian School-Based Trainee of the Year runner up, and Joshua Lodge - 2014 Australian Trainee of the Year winner.

“It’s clear that Zeal Futures continues to produce some of the best apprentices and trainees in the country,” she said.