Craig Dearden This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. TAFE NSW - News article

   www.tafensw.edu.au/news/traini - [Cached]

   Published on: 9/29/2006   Last Visited: 11/2/2006

   NSW Minister for Education and Training Carmel Tebbutt congratulates Vocational student of the Year Craig Dearden (second from right)
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   NSW Minister for Education and Training Carmel Tebbutt congratulates Vocational student of the Year Craig Dearden (second from right)
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   2006 NSW Vocational Student of the Year Craig Dearden, TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute
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   Craig Dearden, TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute
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   The three talented TAFE NSW students who picked up the major awards were 2006 Apprentice of the Year Karen Hourigan, trained by TAFE NSW - Hunter Institute, 2006 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Allison Burgess, who also trained at Hunter Institute and 2006 Vocational Student of the Year Craig Dearden, trained by TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute.
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   For outstanding TAFE NSW hospitality student Craig Dearden this was yet another award to add to his growing collection. Craig has now been active in WorldSkills Australia competitions for four years. TAFE NSW works with WorldSkills Australia towards the common goal to promote excellence in vocational skills and training, running competitions that TAFE NSW students throughout the state can take part in.
   
   Craig took advantage of this opportunity from the word go and at only 22 he has achieved success after success in his career to date.
   
   It all started when he was still at school.
   
   "I did a TVET (TAFE-delivered vocational education and training) course in Hospitality Operations at school as part of my Year 11 and 12 subject selection to get a taste for the industry," Craig said.
   
   Craig was already winning medals when he was still at school, in the WorldSkills VET in Schools Food and Beverage Competitions. After completing his TVET training Craig was named TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute's TVET Schools Student of the Year.
   
   Craig never looked back since. He went on to do his Diploma in Hospitality Management at TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute's Ryde Campus, well-known as a specialist centre for training in the hospitality industry.
   
   "Ryde Campus and TAFE in general has an amazing reputation in the industry - as soon as you tell people where you trained they are willing to hire you," according to Craig, who went on to do his Advanced Diploma through TAFE NSW while working in the field.
   
   "TAFE gave me great insight into both the practical and management side of things, like managing people, budgets and conflict resolution - and also gave me credit transfer into uni, which has taken a whole year off the time it will take me to finish my degree."
   
   While he was doing his Diploma at TAFE NSW Craig continued to win medals in WorldSkills, winning the 2003 Sydney Regional WorldSkills Competition for Restaurant Service and then beating the best in Australia to become a national champion in the 2004 National WorldSkills Competition.
   
   Craig has competed overseas representing Australia twice, winning Gold in New Zealand then being named amongst the best in the world in his chosen field when he won Bronze for Restaurant Service at the 2005 International WorldSkills Competition in Helsinki, Finland.
   
   Craig, Karen and Allison have made the most of the opportunities students can access at TAFE NSW and are truly going places with a head start in their chosen careers.

2. 2. TAFE NSW - News article

   www.tafe.nsw.edu.au/news/world - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/12/2004   Last Visited: 11/10/2005

   And to top it off, Craig Dearden (Restaurant Service competitor) of TAFE NSW , Northern Sydney Institute was awarded the medal for best regional competitor.
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   Medal winner Craig Dearden has the full support of his employer Star City. "Mark Newell and the management at Star City have been more than pleased with WorldSkills," says Craig.
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   "It was good for competition experience," says Craig Dearden. "You get used to competing in different countries, living out of hotels and seeing other people."
   
   Craig has been competing in WorldSkills since high school, where he participated in vocational education and training, and was encouraged to participate by his teachers. He then went on to excel at regional, state and national competitions.
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   Craig Dearden Restaurant Service

3. 3. TAFE NSW - News article

   www.tafe.com.au/news/worldskil - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/12/2004   Last Visited: 11/6/2005

   And to top it off, Craig Dearden (Restaurant Service competitor) of TAFE NSW , Northern Sydney Institute was awarded the medal for best regional competitor.
   ...
   Medal winner Craig Dearden has the full support of his employer Star City. "Mark Newell and the management at Star City have been more than pleased with WorldSkills," says Craig.
   ...
   "It was good for competition experience," says Craig Dearden. "You get used to competing in different countries, living out of hotels and seeing other people."
   
   Craig has been competing in WorldSkills since high school, where he participated in vocational education and training, and was encouraged to participate by his teachers. He then went on to excel at regional, state and national competitions.
   ...
   Craig Dearden Restaurant Service