Apprentice of the Year winner.

Rachael Pearson, a former apprentice from Zeal Futures, was named Apprentice of the Year in the 2024 NSW Training Awards.

The award recognises Rachael's achievements in her trade, and ambassadorship for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. 

Zeal Futures CEO, Sharon Smith, said Rachael is yet another success story in the organisation’s 43-year history of employing and managing apprentices and trainees.

“Rachael was a stand-out apprentice from day one and is an incredibly deserving winner. Her success is proof that group training organisations (GTOs) like Zeal Futures continue to produce some of the best apprentices and trainees in the industry,” she said.

During her mechanical engineering apprenticeship, Rachael was hosted to GM3 (formerly South32) at their Appin mine. She excelled in the trade, undertaking additional qualifications and leading various projects on site, resulting in consistent positive feedback from her supervisors.

In her first year she was awarded the Stan Gilmore Memorial Award for first place in Stage 1 Fitting-Machining at TAFE NSW and in 2023 she won the Women in Trade Award at the Apprentice Employment Network (AEN) NSW & ACT Awards.

While making her mark as a female apprentice in the mining sector, Rachael was also building a successful career in the NRLW. She now plays with the Parramatta Eels full-time and has represented NSW in the NRLW State of Origin.

Rachael is also an active NRL VET Ambassador and NSW Mining Ambassador advocating for more young people to consider VET pathways and careers in mining.

"I feel proud to win Apprentice of the Year and to be recognised for the work I’ve done,” Rachael said.

"It was an exciting night in Sydney hearing about all the great finalists, and I thought it was pretty special that four of the six finalists for the Apprentice of the Year category were women."

Quinton Wilkinson, Manager Maintenance at GM3, said the team are incredibly proud of Rachael on this great achievement.

“During her apprenticeship at the Appin Mine, Rachael always demonstrated a great willingness to learn and expand her skills, taking every opportunity to get involved with all tasks and support the team," he said 

The NSW Training Awards were held in Sydney on Friday 13 September. The Awards recognise outstanding talent across the VET sector, honouring and rewarding the achievements of students, teachers, training organisations and employers.

Zeal Futures was honoured to be a silver sponsor of this year’s event, recognising the importance of VET pathways in building Australia’s future workforce.