A former chef and Blackheath father of three has been recognised as the top regional Vocational Student of the Year.
Andrew Hudson, 30, was recognised in the vocational education and training (VET) sector at the 2025 Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Regional Training Awards on June 20 at Parramatta Town Hall.
The awards celebrate the success of local VET learners and teachers who have made outstanding contributions to their workplaces and industries.
Mr Hudson completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care with METS Training Services and is now the coordinator of Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre - Blackheath Out of School Hours.
He had been a chef since he was 15, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to look at other industries to re-train.
“I saw my industry disappear overnight,” he said. “On Sunday I had a job, on Monday I didn’t. I couldn’t support my family.”
At the time he was working as head chef at Embassy Cafe in Katoomba.
In May 2021, he took on a chef role at a childcare centre and quickly discovered a passion for working with children and supporting the families. Since then, he has earned his Certificate III, and Diploma; progressing from room leader to coordinator of an out of school hours service.
He is now in the running for a state award in September.
As father of three, he uses his own parenting experience to best take care of the children and help the families along the way. He’s known for his approachability, leadership skills, hands-on teamwork, and commitment to open communication.
Even though his journey into the sector began unexpectedly, he said he was delighted at the change of events.
“I absolutely love it. I never saw myself as smart enough to go to uni ... and now I am running an outside of school program. It’s been an eye opener. Just because you’ve done something for so long, doesn’t mean that’s all you have to do.”
The former Faulconbridge Public School and Springwood High School student said he was able to do the training in his own time, online, with the support he needed to ask questions as they came up, and to fit in the program with his work and family schedule.
“It has allowed me to change my entire career in the span of three years.”
Of the regional award, Mr Hudson said he was “just gobsmacked to be nominated. I’ve never been nominated for anything before. It’s taking a bit of time to get used to.”
Presented by Department of Education’s Training Services, the NSW Training Awards recognise outstanding achievement in the vocational education and training sector, with this year marking the 70th anniversary for the awards.
Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said:
“I am so pleased that Andrew has had a chance to have this new inspiring and fulfilling pathway.
“Andrew took over the Blackheath out-of-school care program in September 2024 and has been able to increase licencing numbers from 30 to 50 children.
“He is proving to be inspirational to others who are keen to take a chance on a new direction in their careers. I wish him the greatest success for his bright future in the industry.”
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan said:
“The finalists and winners from this year’s Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Regional Training Awards represent the premier VET talent in the region. Having a thriving and robust VET sector generates ripples in the local community with investment into spaces like healthcare, infrastructure, education and the economy.
“The Training Awards support the NSW Government’s efforts to address skills shortages by spotlighting excellence in VET.”
There were more than 200 applications and 21 finalists. For more information go to: https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/nsw-training-awards.
2025 Regional Training Awards winners include:
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, Katarina Ferkula-Cohen, Certificate III in Business, Western Sydney University The College, Western Sydney University
- Apprentice of the Year, Lochlan Leonard, Certificate III in Meat Processing (Retail Butcher), TAFE NSW, Chop Butchery - Richmond
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year, Teagan Paviour-Smith, Certificate II in Animal Care, TAFE NSW, German Shepherd & Cavoodleworld
- Trainee of the Year, Erin Lowry, Certificate III in Racing (Stablehand), Team Thoroughbred NSW Training Academy, Godolphin
- VET in Schools Student of the Year, Summer King, Certificate III in Business, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year, Sky Van den Berge, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
- Vocational Student of the Year, Andrew Hudson, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, METS Training Services, Blackheath Area Neighbourhood Centre - Blackheath Out of School Hours
