Tracy Sutton was the 2006 Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year and remembers the achievement as a life changing moment.
“My journey to that point had been a little rough. Winning the award gave me the confidence to know that if I wanted something bad enough, I could make it happen,” Tracy said.
A single mother of three, Tracy had just re-entered the workforce when she completed her Certificate III in Community Services with the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation.
“The traineeship was both practical and foundational and helped me develop a positive attitude to learning,” she said.
Since winning the award, she has enjoyed a diverse and satisfying career.
“Since 2006 my career has gone from strength to strength! I continued delivering employment programs at Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation for a further year and then was successful in gaining a position with the Tarong Energy Corporation as a Community Relations Administrator. In this role I undertook further study at university and successfully completed a unit on public relations, receiving a high distinction for my studies.
“I have remained with this company, now known as Stanwell Corporation Limited. I am now a Compliance officer in the training department and am based at its Meandu mine.
I coordinate inductions and training requirements for all external contractors who come to work at the mine,” Tracy said.
Tracy says that winning the Australian Training Award has been a great influence on her career.
“The award made me realise that if you want your life to go in a certain direction and you are willing to apply yourself, anything is achievable. the highlight for me was being able to reinforce with my children that anything is possible if you just apply yourself. It also confirmed for me that you are never too old to engage in training, and start a career,” she said.
Tracy has plans to undertake a Diploma of Training and Assessment in near future. She has this advice for anyone thinking of applying for an Australian Training Award.
“You don’t go into a particular field of training to win awards, but it is a remarkable affirmation of your choices when you excel and achieve to this level. It is important to have something to strive towards. I would recommend the awards process to anyone!” Tracy said.