South Regional TAFE student, Lewis Italiano, has won the Western Australian Apprentice of the Year 2025 at the WA Training Awards held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 5 September. The awards ceremony, now in its 31st year, celebrated the achievements of individuals and organisers across Western Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Lewis studied an apprenticeship in cabinet making at South Regional TAFE’s Bunbury campus where he has demonstrated outstanding dedication and excellence to his field, including success at the WorldSkills competitions and as South Regional TAFE’s Student of the Year for 2024.
“I’ve had a big journey throughout my apprenticeship and had many different opportunities but being recognised at this level really means a lot to me,” said Lewis.
Passionate about growing his skillset, Lewis will stay within the South Regional TAFE family for a while longer having recently started a new apprenticeship in carpentry. He hopes that this additional qualification will provide him with more career opportunities within the building and construction industry.
“I’ve just started another apprenticeship back at South Regional TAFE. A Carpentry apprenticeship, it’s been really nice, I’ve been there about a month so far, having the trades that complement each other, a lot of skills transfer and it's been nice to have another skill set, he said.
Later this year, Lewis will go on to represent Western Australia at the national Australian Training Awards in Darwin.
“I’m excited to head to nationals and share my journey. I hope to inspire others and show just how far a trade can take you,” he said.
South Regional TAFE congratulates Lewis and wish him success at the Australian Training Awards and for an incredible career ahead.
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