Harrison
Completing my VET courses while at school has reduced the time required
to complete my apprenticeship and gave me an understanding of what was
involved in becoming a chef.
Apprentice Chef
Why I chose VET
As far back as primary school I always knew that I wanted to cook. I knew that the less time I spent in the classroom and the more time I spent in the kitchen the better prepared I would be for the future.
What I got out of VET
I was lucky to have a great teacher who instilled me with a passion for learning. My VET teacher had a lot of industry experience and was well known in the hospitality industry, this helped me obtain my apprenticeship at the RACV City Club.
My VET success story
I've faced challenges with dyslexia, but I never lost sight of my goals. In 2017 I was awarded Apprentice of the Year for all RACV Clubs across Australia. In the same year I was fortunate enough to be selected as a finalist in Fonterra's Proud to be a Chef mentoring program and have a recipe selected for their cookbook. I was also awarded the Les Toques Blanches Award for Excellence for Best Dessert. My journey with VET has also given me the opportunity to dine at Michelin Star Restaurants.
My advice
I would tell students not be lazy and to take VET seriously.
Harrison's VET success story (pdf - 687.35kb)
My pathway
Completed
VCAL
VCE VET Hospitality
- Hospitality
- Kitchen Operations
- Structured Workplace Learning
Certificate III in Catering
VCE Food Studies
VCE Religion and Society
Personal Development Skills
Literacy Skills
Numeracy Skills
Work Related Skills
Employed part-time
Dishwasher and Kitchen Hand
Volunteer
Kilmore Art Society
Rotary Club of Australia
Current
TAFE
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Employed full-time
Apprentice Chef
Future
Employed full-time
Chef
TAFE
Certificate III in Patisserie
Open my own restaurant
My Awards
Silver Medal, Nestle Golden Chef's Hat Award, 20187
RACV Apprentice of the Year, 2017
Best Desert, Les Toque Blanches Award for Excellence, 2017
VET in 3 words
Challenging. Enjoyable. Competitive.
Secondary school: Assumption College
Location: Kilmore
VET qualifications:
- Certificate II in Hospitality
- Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
- Certificate III in Catering
- Certificate III in Commercial Cookery