Bega TAFE students Luke Masliah and David Collins-Hart received awards at the 2010 NSW Training Awards Illawarra Awards ceremony.

Both are in a second year commercial cookery class and attend TAFE one day per week as part of their apprenticeship requirements.

Masliah and Collins-Hart were nominated for the awards by Illawarra TAFE – Bega Campus and their employers.

Masliah was honoured for his commitment as a School Based Apprentice (SBA).

He won the SBA Apprentice of the Year award and he will now attend the State Finals in September where he is in the running for SBA of the Year.

Prior to the event, Masliah will be interviewed where he will state his credentials in early August.

Masliah works one day a week with Merimbula Aquarium Wharf Restaurant, attends one TAFE day and goes to Lumen Christi College four days a week.

Masliah will complete Year 12 at the end of this year and continue his apprenticeship full-time.

Collins-Hart is a third year apprentice with Mimosa Rocks Restaurant in Tathra and he won the Phil Darby Award Memorial Award.

He was the first SBA to attend Bega’s TAFE campus.

Head Teacher Tourism and Hospitality Deirdre Jory said she was pleased with the results.

“Bega TAFE Tourism and Hospitality Faculty are very proud of both of the students’ achievements and it is a fine example that living in the country is not a disadvantage, that we are on par with our city counterparts,” he said.

“Over the last five years our Tourism and Hospitality students have been awarded varying awards and have won awards at state level.

“This is a testimony to the quality and professionalism of the staff and students here in Bega.”

The NSW Training Awards Illawarra Awards are open to any apprentice or trainee.

For more information visit www.training.nsw.gov.au