Proud Wiradjuri woman, Brittany Swales, recently received recognition for her accomplishments.

A student at TAFE NSW, Ms Swales was honoured with a TAFE NSW Gili Award and was also named a finalist for Aboriginal Student of the Year at the NSW Training Awards.

The TAFE NSW Gili Awards highlight the successes of Aboriginal students, TAFE NSW staff, and groundbreaking programs that have made a positive impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Ms Swales received acknowledgement in the Agribusiness Student of the Year division, following the successful completion of her Certificate III in Horticulture at TAFE NSW Padstow.

Her decision to enrol in the course stemmed from a deep-seated desire to expand her understanding of the plant life that envelops us and to impart that knowledge to her community.

"Since I was a little kid, I have always been at home in the garden and passionate about preserving our environment. However, taking care of two small children has meant my passions have taken a back seat for a few years," she said.

"I have always felt a strong connection to the land. I want this planet to live on for years to come and know it is in the hands of my generation to make that happen."

The decision to pursue a career as an Environmental Scientist was influenced by her completion of the Certificate III in Horticulture.

With the projected eight per cent increase in employment opportunities for Environmental Scientists in Australia by 2028, she is now enrolled in the Certificate IV in Tertiary Studies to further her education and achieve her career goals.

"Studying at TAFE NSW has given me the confidence to complete my HSC equivalent, which means I will then be able to apply to study an Environment Science degree," said Ms Swales.

"My passion is to one day help develop solutions to the environmental issues impacting our society."

Ms Sawles dedication to her work left a lasting impression on her teacher, Tony Momi. As a result, he extended an invitation to her to consider applying for the position of Assistant Technical Officer at the Padstow campus.

"TAFE NSW strives to create a learning environment that supports and inspires our students. Brittany's achievements in the Certificate III in Horticulture highlights the benefits of hands-on, industry-focused training," Mr Momi said.

"It's great to see how flexible learning options have allowed Brittany balance her personal responsibilities while pursuing her career goals. I'm confident she will make great contributions to environmental sustainability in the future."