Baker’s hard work honoured with Victorian Training Awards nomination

HARD work and perseverance has seen Gordon TAFE graduate Nicholas Roberts recognised as among the best vocational students in the state.

Mr Roberts is one of only three finalists in the Vocational Student of the Year category in this year’s Victorian Training Awards.

Originally working in government communications and events after finishing university, the South Geelong resident returned to tertiary studies last year to complete a Certificate III in Patisserie at The Gordon.

He will launch Zuckerhaus Cakes, his own home-based cake business, next month.

“I’ve always loved baking, ever since I was a kid,” he said.

“I love making cakes in particular – I was inspired by the German, Austrian and central European cakes from studies in German in high school – but I never really thought about it as a career; it was always kind of a hobby.”

In need of a career change, Mr Roberts made the admittedly “big decision” to walk away from a full-time job and pursue his passion.

“It was a pretty big challenge but I’m really glad I did it and stuck through it, because I learnt so much here at The Gordon,” he said.

Mr Roberts was a finalist for Student of the Year at The Gordon, and said his nomination in the Victorian Training Awards was similarly unexpected.

“I can tell my story about how I came to skills training later on after a number of years working in a completely different industry, and share how welcoming it is.

“Hopefully I can help inspire other people to have a dream, and skills-based training is a way to get them to that, to go for it.”

The Gordon culinary teacher Brendan Hill said Mr Roberts had a clear vision of his future and had researched the opportunities to further develop his skills and knowledge.

“I am confident with Nicholas’ passion and his eye for detail in patisserie, that he will be successful in achieving his dream.

“Nicholas has a great attitude to learning, is always professional and passionate in his approach to all tasks, trying his utmost to achieve and master all of the skills involved in patisserie.

“He is the model student you love to have in your class. He invests a lot of his own time in self-directed learning and additional research and shares these findings with other students.”

Celebrating their 69th year in 2023, the Victorian Training Awards are supported by the Victorian government and bring together apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, training providers, employers, and industry representatives.

Category winners will be announced on August 18.

For more information, head to vic.gov.au/2023-victorian-training-awards-finalists