MACINTYRE High School student Bailey Gardner took out the school-based apprentice or trainee student of the year at Friday night’s 10th annual regional 2016 NSW Training Awards held in Tamworth.
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Bailey trains as a stock and station agent with Bob Jamieson Agencies (BJA), and one of his best friends, Talia Crisp, also of Macintyre high, was the runner-up in the category.
Bailey said he was stoked with the award and it was a big shock for him in front of 440 people who attended the event.
He said he absolutely loved working at BJA.
“Awesome bunch of guys in the office and out in the field,” Bailey said.
“I’ve done the traineeship for just over 18 months and I’ve absolutely loved every minute of it. I’m very thankful for the opportunity, hopefully I can carry on with it.”
Bailey said he decided on a career in agriculture in year 8, but was uncertain which pathway to chose.
“My grandfather was on the land and he wanted me to do ag, so I could get into the agricultural business,” Bailey said.
“One of mum’s best friends, Melissa Hewitt, works down at BJA and said I should come down and do a week of work experience with them to see how I liked it.
“That was in year 10 in 2014 and I absolutely loved it. I was talking to Bob one day and we decided I’d do a traineeship.”
Bailey said he was both a people person and an animal person.
“I’ve always loved cattle and I’ve always loved people,” he said.
"It’s a people-business not a cattle-business, so if you’re good with people you can learn the cattle business to go with it,"
“I was talking to Bob, and Bob said it’s a people-business not a cattle-business, so if you’re good with people you can learn the cattle business to go with it.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the future of regional communities depended on training and retaining talented, ambitious young people.
He congratulated all participants, especially the winners, and commended the NSW training awards as a great vehicle for acknowledging young people who are making a big effort to start their careers.
“The quality of the finalists and winners at the New England regional awards was outstanding,” Mr Marshall said.
“Recognition should also go to the local businesses helping students get on-the-job experience to kickstart their careers.”
All the award winners will go on to be considered for selection to compete at the NSW Training Awards in September.
