Grace was the runner-up in the School Based Trainee/Apprentice of the Year category at the 2016 Western NSW Training Awards, held in Orange recently.

Grace has been a trainee at Woolerina for a little more than 12 months, having started in June last year when she was in year 10. 

She’s currently completing her Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology through TVET, which will count towards her HSC next year.

Grace is Woolerina’s first trainee.

The idea to get a trainee was that of Delia Lennane, Woolerina’s head of design and in-house production, who also happens to be a fashion and design TAFE teacher.

Ms Lennane contacted Forbes High School to see if there was anyone who would be interested and suitable for the school-based traineeship, which is how Grace came on board.

“I was approached by a teacher at the high school who said they were looking for a trainee,” Grace said.

“I come one day a week and have been doing it for just over a year. I’ll finish [my traineeship] before I start year 12. 

“I love it, it’s really good.”

Grace has been able to dabble in a mix of everything during her time at Woolerina including cutting fabric, sewing, design and production and more.

Ms Lennane has been Grace’s mentor throughout her traineeship and said it’s fantastic that Grace was a finalist in the Western NSW Training Awards.

“She’s been a very valuable team member - we’re really proud of her and how far she got with the award, just to be recognised,” she said.

Woolerina’s admin coordinator Penny Rout said Grace has been brilliant and a great asset to the team.

“We’re trying to work locally and train people locally,” she said. 

“Keeping as much as we can in our region is really important to us.”

Woolerina is passionate about working with sustainable fibres, sourced locally.