Central Coast Community College teacher Erin Jacob has taken out the Vocational Education Teacher of the Year award at the 2021 Annual NSW Training Awards.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal, Adam Crouch, said the award recognised Jacob as one of the state’s top teachers.
“Erin designs accredited and non-accredited horticulture programs for Central Coast Community College that engage and motivate students at risk,” Crouch said.
“She enables students to gain qualifications so they can get a job and realise their full potential.
“Erin’s innovative Step Forward and Keep on Stepping programs successfully re-engage students in learning and help to facilitate a pathway towards employment.
“Erin’s award is also well-deserved recognition for the entire team of staff at Central Coast Community College.”
Jacob said many of her students experience a multitude of barriers to education and employment.
“Students are typically unemployed, living in shelters, at risk of homelessness and/or escaping domestic violence,” she said.
“With a focus on work-based skills as well as art therapy, students can reflect, explore their identity and think about the future.”
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, congratulated Jacob on receiving the prestigious award while also completing her Certificate IV in Community Services.
“It is a great honour to be recognised on a state level and I have no doubt Erin will go on to be a great ambassador for vocational education and training,” Lee said.
“The students, educators and training providers represented at the NSW Training Awards are living proof that NSW’s training system is gold standard.”
The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by the NSW Department of Education in recognition of outstanding achievements in VET.
For more information, go to: www.training.nsw.gov.au/training_awards.
Source:
Media release, Oct 19
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch