A young woman who has bucked the trends and shown women can smash stereotypes in male-dominated industries has just won the NSW State Training Award for Apprentice of the Year as a diesel mechanic.
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Inverell’s Courtney Harrison received the awards at a gala night in Sydney on Thursday, September 8. The ceremony was hosted by Minister for Skills, Regional Development and Small Business, John Barilaro MP, held at the Four Points by Sheraton Sydney, Darling Harbour.
Courtney took up the automotive trade as a student at Inverell High School and her awards journey began in 2013 when she received the Special Award for a Woman in a Non-Traditional Trade or Vocation sponsored by Women NSW.
As a year 12 student apprentice, she told The Inverell Times, “I struggled to start with. You have people that tell you it’s not right and you shouldn’t be there. They’re a bit hesitant about you being female,” she said.
“Some of them are supportive, others not so much but you just push through it, pick and choose what you take to heart and what you don’t.”
From then, she has climbed up the skills ladder as an apprentice at Dieselequip in Inverell, and capturing awards and challenges as she went.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall praised Courtney for her achievement.
“Courtney has done herself, her family and Inverell proud and I’m delighted she’s taken out one of the top State awards as NSW Apprentice of the Year,” Mr Marshall said.
“Courtney is one of a growing cohort of fantastic young women who are not afraid to pursue a role in a traditionally male trade.
“Courtney is a thoroughly impressive young woman – I’m incredibly proud of her and I wish her every success at the national finals in Darwin in November.”
She qualified for the state award after winning the regional Apprentice of the Year award at the TAFE New England Student and Staff awards and Training Services NSW Regional Training Awards earlier this year.