South West students receive South Regional TAFE awards

When judged against students from the Great Southern TAFE, students from the South West region took home an array of acknowledgements in recognition for their hard work during 2020.

Cabinet Making student Dylan Rader received three awards including Overall South Regional TAFE Apprentice of the Year, South West student Apprentice of the Year and Construction Apprentice of the Year.

Mr Rader completed his Certificate III in Cabinet Making at the Bunbury South Regional TAFE last year, which required him to travel weekly to campus from his home in Margaret River.

"I worked at Boranup Gallery as an apprentice furniture maker whilst I completed my Certificate at the Bunbury TAFE. It was a really good course at an awesome facility with all new machinery and great lecturers," Mr Rader said.

"It hasn't really hit me yet but it's a massive deal to receive these awards. It's great recognition and will open up a lot of doors in my industry."

Mr Rader completed high school at the Western Australian College of Agriculture in Narrogin before beginning his studies.

He said it was seeing peoples positive reactions to the furniture he built at the college that sparked his interest in studying cabinet making.

"I love working with all types of timbers and mixing and matching them to create good contrast. I make all my pieces as if they're going to be displayed in my own house."

Mr Rader received his multiple awards at the Bunbury South Regional TAFE for being a leader to other students and for always completing his work on time and to a high standard.

After winning at a regional level, Mr Rader will be competing at the Worldskills National Championships and Skills Show in August, as the only Western Australian in the cabinet making category.

Fellow Bunbury Information Technology Networking student Kyron Nunn was also named Overall South Regional TAFE Vocational Student of the Year at the awards.

Lecturers were impressed with Mr Nunn's professionalism, competence and passion for his studies.

"It's one thing to do well in your studies and another to receive an award of this caliber. It's reassuring to know that I did well last year and understood what was being taught," Mr Nunn said.

Mr Nunn now works as a Support Engineer at BizLinQ Technology on Victoria Street, an information and communications company servicing the South West.