2026 TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards

Employed by Burnie City Council, Jack Pearce completed a Certificate III in Sports Turf Management, earning a reputation for his reliability, attention to detail and commitment to high-quality work.

Jack consistently demonstrates a high standard across a range of practical turf management activities. His technical expertise is particularly evident in cricket wicket preparation, where his precision, consistency and understanding of playing surface requirements produce high quality playing surfaces.

Jack's strong work ethic and dedication to quality make him a worthy recipient of the 2026 Horticulture and Environment Learner of the Year award.

While undertaking a full shift roster at Grange Resources, Taylor has successfully completed two consecutive qualifications: the Certificate III in Surface Extraction Operations (RII30120) and the Certificate III in Drilling Operations (RII31820). Throughout her training, she consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and strong commitment, balancing study requirements with production demands, travel, and complex roster schedules.

Taylor’s progression into a Relief Drilling Lead Hand role reflects the significant skills, knowledge and confidence she has developed through her training. In addition to completing her own qualification, she has taken on the responsibility of training and mentoring new drillers, showing strong leadership capabilities and a genuine commitment to supporting the development of others.

Her achievements highlight both her personal dedication and the positive impact she is having within the civil construction industry, making her a worthy recipient of the Outstanding Training Commitment – Civil Construction Apprentice Award.

Phoebe Ketchell has demonstrated outstanding dedication and professionalism throughout her training, successfully completing her Certificate IV in Beauty Therapy ahead of schedule. Her strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and passion for the beauty industry have made her a valued member of the team at Elysian Beauty.

Known for her exceptional organisation, customer service and attention to detail, Phoebe consistently delivers high-quality work and maintains the highest professional standards. Her positive attitude, excellent communication skills, and polished presentation have helped her build strong relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

Throughout her training, Phoebe embraced feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow, while also bringing enthusiasm and positivity to the salon environment. Her impressive technical abilities, combined with her commitment to ongoing development, have set her apart as an emerging talent in the industry.

These qualities have earned Phoebe the title of 2026 Statewide Beauty Trainee of the Year.

Kyle Johnson has built a strong reputation for his dedication to learning, professional growth and commitment to excellence throughout his training. Completing a Certificate III in Barbering, Kyle consistently demonstrated initiative and a willingness to challenge himself, embracing every opportunity to develop new skills and refine his craft.

His outstanding technical ability is complemented by exceptional attention to detail, enabling him to deliver high-quality haircuts and styling services. Through his work at Mahni Barber Studio and his training, Kyle has built a loyal client base and developed skills that are well beyond his experience level, performing with confidence and expertise while still in his second year.

Kyle’s commitment to both the theoretical and practical aspects of his training saw him complete his qualification a full year ahead of schedule. His passion for continuous improvement, strong work ethics, and dedication to delivering excellent results make him an asset to his workplace.

In recognition of these achievements, Kyle has been named the 2026 Hairdressing and Barbering Apprentice of the Year.

Reese Robinson has demonstrated exceptional determination, initiative, and a genuine passion for learning throughout her training. Completing a Certificate III in Agriculture, she consistently exceeded expectations across all aspects of her development, including communication, workplace safety, professional presentation, initiative and commitment to learning.

An enthusiastic participant in block training, Reese embraces every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills. Her proactive approach was evident when workplace circumstances during calving season prevented her from completing an assessment of observation. Rather than delaying her progress, Reese independently arranged access to another local farmer’s herd to ensure she could complete the required task.

Reese also made the most of seasonal learning opportunities, regularly documenting her work through detailed video submissions when on-site visits were not possible. Her commitment to gaining practical experience and seeking out learning opportunities has enabled her success.

Despite entering the industry without a background in agriculture, Reese completed her qualification in just 13 months, an achievement that reflects her dedication, resilience and strong work ethic.

In recognition of her outstanding achievements, Reese has been named TasTAFE’s 2026 Primary Industries Learner of the Year.

Evan Eastman has brought enthusiasm, creativity and a strong commitment to excellence to both his Certificate III in Baking and his apprenticeship with Banjo’s Margate. Passionate about his trade, Evan consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, a willingness to learn and a drive to continuously improve his skills, making a strong impression on both colleagues and trainers.

Evan combines technical skills with discipline, reliability, and a keen ability to learn quickly. His success reflects his talent for baking and his ability to apply transferable skills, embrace feedback, and consistently produce high-quality products. In recognition of these achievements, Evan has been named the 2026 TasTAFE Excellence Awards Bakery and Butchery Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.

Hunter Balik has demonstrated outstanding dedication to his training while completing a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery and working at the Claremont Hotel. Committed to developing his skills at every opportunity, Hunter consistently goes above and beyond in his studies and is always willing to support fellow students in the classroom. His impeccable hygiene and presentation reflect the same strong work ethic, positive attitude and drive for success that he brings to all aspects of his training.

In the workplace, Hunter confidently runs the kitchen at the Claremont Hotel on its busiest nights, demonstrating both professionalism and capability under pressure. His positive attitude, combined with excellent technical knife skills, has helped him stand out as an emerging talent in the industry. In recognition of these achievements, Hunter has been named the 2026 TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards Cookery Apprentice/Trainee of the Year.

Emma Bryant demonstrated exceptional commitment to both her studies and her work while employed at Wicked Cheese, completing her Certificate III in Hospitality in June 2026. Throughout her training, Emma consistently took initiative during busy service periods, supporting colleagues without being asked, while maintaining high standards of presentation, professionalism, and hygiene. She also responded positively to feedback and applied her learning directly in the workplace.

Emma’s ability to transfer her skills into practice saw her take on responsibilities including training new employees, working independently and managing social media accounts for Wicked Cheese Co. Her proactive approach, strong work ethic and commitment to professional growth have established her as a talented emerging hospitality professional. In recognition of these achievements, Emma has been named the 2026 Hospitality/Tourism Learner of the Year.

Will Langridge has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic and proactive approach throughout his studies and employment with Moore Civil Contracting. Completing his Certificate III in Civil Construction in April 2026, eight months ahead of schedule, Will consistently applied high standards across both theoretical and practical components of his training. His maturity, willingness to learn, and commitment to excellence have been key factors in his success.

With exceptional technical proficiency in operating heavy machinery, including excavators, Will confidently leads tasks and contributes positively to those around him. He fosters collaboration, mentors fellow learners and consistently shows initiative, demonstrating the qualities required of a future industry supervisor. In recognition of these achievements, Will has been named the 2026 Trade Excellence Awards Civil Construction Final Year Apprentice of the Year.

Caleb Wilton successfully completed the Certificate II in Construction at the Huon Valley Trade Training Centre, demonstrating consistent effort, a positive attitude and a strong commitment to safety throughout his training. While working towards his qualification, Caleb supported fellow learners and overcame significant challenges and barriers, showing determination and resilience in achieving his goals.

Caleb’s dedication to developing his skills, together with the kindness he shows to teachers and fellow students, has made a positive impact on those around him. He has also demonstrated initiative through the support and assistance he provides to others, reflecting his commitment to both personal growth and the success of his peers. In recognition of these achievements, Caleb has been named the 2026 TasTAFE Trade Excellence Awards Equity Trade Learner of the Year.