Vocational Student Prize winner Josh Lazarus, travelling in Israel after his traineeship

The Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre has again proved fertile ground for young talent, with technical trainee Josh Lazarus awarded an Australian Vocational Student Prize by the Federal Government.

Announced by the Acting Minister for School Education, Senator Chris Evans, the $2000 prize is awarded for showing outstanding skills while undertaking a Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools program.

Josh joined the venue’s specialist production unit Centre Technical Production and Design in 2010 and 2011 as part of a pilot program in partnership with Bradfield Senior College TAFE.  His technical traineeship allowed him to complete his Certificate III in Live Production while at the same time studying for his HSC.

Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Chief Executive Ton van Amerongen said Josh, now aged 18, was the first trainee at the Centre to combine on-the-job technical training with HSC studies.

“The training opportunities available at the Centre provide among the most specialised technical experience available in Australia,” Mr van Amerongen said.  “Josh not only seized this opportunity with great enthusiasm, he made an excellent contribution to the Centre’s production team and thoroughly deserves this recognition.”   

In other staff achievements, Centre third-year apprentice Levi Murphy recently won a gold medal in the Hospitality Training Network’s apprentice chef competition after preparing a range of dishes including a confit of chicken wings with pan-fried scallops, an assiette of lamb with madeira sauce and a chocolate mousse with strawberry coulis.

Meanwhile, fellow Food and Beverage team member Angelo Velarde came in the top 10 in the recent Hennessy HotCup Barista competition undertaken as part of the Australasian Gaming Expo.  Angelo prepared four café lattes, four espressos, four cappuccinos as well as his signature coffee – a popcorn-infused liquor topped with a strong espresso and soy milk foam.