The trio were named at the Hunter Regional Training Awards presentation event in Newcastle on Friday, June 21 taking out half of a possible six awards on offer.

Islington's Katherine Hooper was named school-based apprentice/trainee of the year.

Trainee of the year went to Kaitlin Smith of Farley while Jacob Linton from Bishops Bridge took out apprentice of the year.

Ms Smith has completed a Certificate III and IV in Business Administration and will soon begin a Diploma of Human Resource Management as part of her third traineeship.

"Winning this award is an amazing opportunity and ridiculously exciting," she said.

"I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to undertake my traineeships with Port Stephens Council.

"I would like to thank the Council and TAFE NSW, especially my supportive team members and teacher.

"My advice to others is if you have an opportunity to do a traineeship then undertake one even if you don't quite know where you want your career journey to go.

"At first I wasn't sure and now I'm onto my third traineeship and doing my Diploma.

"It's definitely helped me make decisions around what I am passionate about and what career path I want to take. And my TAFE NSW experience has been really, really good. I have thoroughly enjoyed going every week."

Ms Hooper, who is studying Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and working at the Calvary Mater hospital, said her studies had been "absolutely amazing".

"I am overwhelmed and honoured to win and cannot thank enough everyone who supported me," she said. "My career goal is definitely medicine."

"After I complete my course I want to study to be a registered nurse and then work for Médecins Sans Frontières. My longer-term goal is nuclear medicine."

Mr Linton's electro-technology studies led him to take on an advanced diploma in electrical engineering.

"I've worked very hard to get where I am and it's a big honour that it's being recognised," he said.

"I've now secured a position at AGL as an electrical engineering technician and am currently training at work to be an operator.

"My end goal is to be a panel operator, supplying the state with electricity."

The three winners will go into the running for the statewide awards, which will be held in Sydney in September.