South Hedland student Cadie Doyle named WA school-based apprentice of the year at WA Training Awards

South Hedland student Cadie Doyle was named the WA school-based apprentice of the year at the 2025 WA Training Awards earlier this month.

Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 5, the presentation ceremony showcased the success of 43 finalists, comprising 32 people and 11 organisations throughout WA.

Ms Doyle said she felt “absolutely phenomenal” to win the award.

“I’m so, so happy,” she said.

“It means everything to me. It’s such an honour to be up here with all the finalists. It’s life-changing.”

Ms Doyle is undertaking a school-based apprenticeship working at BHP Rail, and will soon graduate Year 12 with a nationally recognised qualification in engineering.

She said the apprenticeship had been great, and encouraged other students to take up the vocational pathway.

“Just give it a shot. It’s such an amazing opportunity to really put your foot in the door,” Ms Doyle said.

“Overall (TAFE has) been such an amazing experience. They’re great for helping you with anything, whether it’s a resume or an apprenticeship — they’re all for you.

“I see my lecturers all the time. They are so helpful to work with. I was able to build such strong relationships with them.”

Looking to the future, Ms Doyle said she hoped to undertake a boilermaking apprenticeship as soon as possible.

Skills and TAFE Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said vocational training pathways offered West Australians high-quality, industry-relevant training, which gave them the skills they needed to be “job-ready” for the workplace

“Training Western Australians and equipping them with the skills they need to take advantage of jobs available in their local communities is central to meeting our State’s workforce needs and delivering our Made in WA agenda,” she said.

“Our State’s TAFE colleges are world-class, and play a crucial role in providing Western Australians with vocational training in their local communities.

“It is fantastic to see so many regional WA TAFE college students recognised as finalists, demonstrating just how instrumental affordable vocational training opportunities are to helping regional Western Australians skill for their local workforce.

“Our individual training award winners are incredible ambassadors for WA’s vocational training sector, and exemplify the life-changing impacts of skills training.”

The 2025 WA Training Awards were made possible thanks to the continuing support of awards partner the State Training Board, principal sponsor MEGT, and category sponsors the Training Accreditation Council, Apprenticeship Support Australia powered by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA, Construction Training Fund, Maxima, and BUSY At Work.

Ms Doyle will also join fellow WA Training Awards winners representing WA at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin in December.