Certificate III in Commercial Cookery 

RTO: North Metropolitan TAFE

Employer: Hospitality Group Training  

Host Employer: Pan Pacific Hotel

School: Mercy College 

Throughout her school life at Mercy College, Courtney assumed that she would complete a university pathway. Then at an information night in Year 10, she heard about the success of a Year 12 student who was completing a School-based Apprenticeship. She was intrigued at the idea that she could complete Year 12 and start her career as a chef. She enquired at the vocational centre, met with GTO Hospitality Group Training and the rest is history.

Preparing meals with and for her family has always brought great joy to Courtney, so it seemed a natural fit to enrol in the Certificate III in Commercial Cookery. Successfully juggling her school-work at Mercy College with an apprenticeship through North Metropolitan TAFE, Courtney says the knowledge and skills she has already gained by working alongside chefs at Pan Pacific Hotel are essential for working in the industry.

Courtney is developing her team skills as well as different cooking techniques, including banquets, high tea, pastry and a la carte. She has also helped to prepare and package food for guests quarantining after returning from overseas, and has extended her skills volunteering for the 5,000 meals program, which helps provide food for families in the Perth community.

Courtney won both the HGT Most Outstanding School-based Apprentice Award and the Year 11 VET Excellence Award in 2020 and is well on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a chef.