Trainee of the Year

This award is presented to an individual who is undertaking a traineeship and has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.

Meet the finalists in the Trainee of the Year category for the 2024 South Australian Training Awards – what a trailblazing group of individuals!

Proudly sponsored by the Apprenticeship Support Australia

Apprenticeship Support Australia


Bree Farrelly

Certificate III in Business

Training Provider: Time Education & Training Pty Ltd

Employer: Adelaide Training and Employment Centre

At 21, Bree Farrelly’s career and life journey have been full of challenges and driven by an unwavering desire to find her place in the world.

Demonstrating strength and resilience, Bree tried several career paths, including university, the army, and hospitality, finally embracing the many roles offered in business administration.

Bree has thrived in her Certificate III in Business traineeship with Time Education & Training (TIME) via the Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC), and loved learning about risk management, workplace safety, effective communication, and proposal development. Her experience has stirred an enthusiasm for business, a path she is committed to pursuing.

Having made great progress in expanding her work options, Bree aspires to establish her own company and become a successful career woman, giving back to people in need.

Bree is deeply grateful for the support from both ATEC and TIME, who recognised her potential and facilitated her achievements.

James Berrenson

Certificate IV in Information Technology

Training Provider: Australian College of Commerce & Management Pty Ltd

Employer: MEGT (Australia) Ltd

Host Employer: Department for Education

James Berrenson’s early love of technology evolved through his schooling and led him to aim for a career aligned to his personal interests and values that also provides opportunity and longevity, contributes to a happy and healthy life, and challenges him to continue learning and supporting others to learn.

A Microsoft Traineeship Program graduate with a Certificate IV in Information Technology via MEGT, James is now employed by the Department for Education. He enjoys keeping up with changes in global technology and providing a high standard of customer service.

Committed to learning and professional development, he is working towards AZ-104 certification, and learning C# and PowerShell.

His future goals include moving into Cloud Management with Azure, improving his coding skills, and developing frontline leadership skills to mentor others.

James believes a traineeship is the foundation for a career and thinks it’s kind of cool to get paid for his hobby!

Lisa Brazzalotto

Diploma of Leadership and Management

Training Provider: Australian Institute of Management

Employer: Clinpath Laboratories Pty Ltd

Lisa Brazzalotto is currently employed by Clinpath Pathology, which offers opportunities for career progression, personal growth, and development.

Growing up on a farm, with her parents’ support and encouragement to pursue her dreams, Lisa quickly learnt the importance of a diligent work ethic and commitment to achieving goals.

Educated at the Keith Area School, Lisa studied hospitality through TAFE SA then worked as a chef. Seeking a career change, she returned to study and became a qualified beauty therapist. With experience in day spa environments, Lisa established a beauty and remedial massage therapy business, which fostered her interest in a medical and health administration career.

Mentoring from her supervisor and the Diploma of Leadership and Management have empowered Lisa to believe in her potential and confidently aim for managerial and leadership roles; having recently successfully facilitated customer service induction training for employees, Lisa is working towards such a future.

Mitchell Saba

Certificate III in School Based Education Support

Training Provider: TAFE SA

Employer: AFL SportsReady Ltd

Host Employer: Tenison Woods Catholic Primary School

After completing 2 traineeships through AFL SportsReady and TAFE SA – a Certificate III in School Based Education Support and a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation – Mitchell Saba works as a Classroom Education Support Officer and Sports Coordinator at Tenison Woods Catholic School, and a Sports Coach and Coordinator at Immanuel College after school hours.

Keen to help others participate in sport, Mitchell has strived for a sports industry role where he can coordinate pathways for people to have fun in a sports setting. Receiving the South Australian 2024 AFL SportsReady Trainee of the Year Award testifies to his work ethic and commitment to training.

Motivated to continue developing, Mitchell enjoys the dynamic work environment of providing classroom support for students and assisting staff, as well as coaching, coordinating, and overseeing school sport. He also hopes to provide opportunities for students to participate in sport on an even larger scale!