Former Penrith City Council apprentice, Raychel White, was recently awarded the 2023 Apprentice of the Year award for the Western Sydney and Blue Mountains NSW Region at the Greater Sydney Training Awards.
Ms White received the honour for her exceptional performance, commitment and passion during her two-year apprenticeship journey at Penrith City Council, completing a Certificate III in Nursery Operations.
Last year, she also received the Apprentice of the Year Award at the 2022 Nursery and Garden NSW and ACT Industry Awards, recognising her enthusiasm and commitment to industry, studies and skill development.
Ms White will now vie for the honour of NSW Apprentice of the Year, presented by Australian Training Awards at a gala event later this year.
Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen said the win was a fantastic acknowledgement of Ms White’s efforts while working alongside Council’s Nursery team.
“Well done to Raychel on this top honour! It’s also a nod of recognition to our hard-working Nursery team who are committed to helping develop our future horticulturists,” Mayor Hitchen said.
“Our Nursery team play an integral role in the City’s ongoing sustainability efforts and we’re looking forward to our Nursery upgrade works commencing early next year.
“These upgrades will allow the team to increase plant production in support of our many environmental programs that help to green our City, combat the urban heat effect and ensure our residents can live comfortably and enjoy all that our region has to offer,” she said.
Council’s annual Traineeship Program is now in its 23rd year, with traineeships offered in Business Administration, Information and Communication Technology, and Early Childhood Education and Care.
To find out more about Council’s Traineeships and Work Experience Programs, visit: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/council/careers/traineeships-work-experience.