There’s more than one path on the way to find what you want to do, Ruby Beckenham said.
The former Casino High School student won the Schools Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year in Sydney at the 2026 TAFE NSW Student of the Year awards.
Ruby completed a Certificate III in Business while finishing her HSC through a school-based traineeship with Richmond Valley Council.
Her win was both unexpected and deeply rewarding.
“When they announced that I was the winner, I was so proud to represent my school, Richmond Valley Council and TAFE NSW,” Ruby said.
Council’s general manager Vaughan Macdonald acknowledged Ruby’s efforts.
“We are proud to see her hard work at the council recognised through her award win and wish her further success in what we know will be a bright future,” Mr Macdonald said.
Ruby said her traineeship helped her build independence and workplace confidence.
“I missed out on some things socially and had to work hard to keep up with school, but this shows the extra effort was worth it.”
Her traineeship introduced her to local government and business, and shaped her decision to study business and political science at Australian National University.
A strong advocate for education pathways, Ruby encourages young people to stay engaged with school while exploring practical options like traineeships.
“There’s more than one path. Doing a traineeship lets you get real experience to see if it’s the right fit for you,” Ruby said.
This information was provided by TAFE NSW.