When Braie Devine sets a challenge for herself, she likes to beat it. And she has done just that, completing a one-year course in six months and winning two TAFE awards.
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The 20-year-old Gunnedah girl won both the 2016 Trainee of the Year and 2016 New England Region Student of the Year awards at TAFE NSW’s recent awards event in Tamworth.
Braie said though she thought she had a good chance of winning Trainee of the Year, she never expected to be named New England Student of the Year.
“I was… I can’t even explain it. I was speechless. I was very shaky,” she said.
“I was nervous, excited but mostly very excited I had reached my goal, and very grateful to [Gunnedah Preschool] for helping me with my traineeship and my family for supporting me the whole way through.”
Braie started a traineeship at Gunnedah Preschool in July 2016, and began a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care through Tamworth TAFE in late August, early September. She did all her coursework via correspondence and received visits once a fortnight from her teacher, Jenny Hawkins.
“My teacher said I could finish in May but I finished in April,” she said.
“I was really dedicated. I had a goal set.”
Another driving factor was the offer of a full-time job as an early childhood educator at the preschool upon completion of her certificate.
“I started as a trainee. My contract was only one year but I wanted to stay there, so I pushed myself to get qualified and I think that motivated them to offer me a full-time job,” Braie said.
“I just really wanted to get qualified so I could start working.”
The former St Mary’s College student said she had always wanted to pursue a career in childcare.
“I’ve been interested in that area since I was a child,” she said.
“I love working with children.
The young woman completed her Higher School Certificate at St Mary’s College in 2014 and applied for the traineeship at Gunnedah Preschool as soon as it came up.
“I love Gunnedah Preschool. It was an absolutely blessing that it came along there. I love the girls,” Braie said.
“I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my childcare career there.”
Braie’s is now in the running for a New England Training Award. The presentation will be held in Tamworth on June 23.