Western Australia’s Polytechnic West baking apprentice, Ailin Gay was named WA’s Apprentice of the Year in September at the WA Training Awards.

Ms Gay earned a $7000 study grant and the opportunity to represent WA on the national stage at the Australian Training Awards, to be held in Brisbane in November.

Ms Gay said she took up baking after having enrolled in a business qualification that her parents thought would be better for her future.

“My passion has always been baking,” she said.

“I get so much enjoyment from watching others eat the pastries I make. I cannot believe I have won – I’m so happy.”

In 2009 Ms Gay won the Arthur E Denison Trophy, which won her a trip to the US American Society of Baking Conference in 2010.

Western Australia’s largest training provider was also named the state’s best, taking out the WA Large Training Provider of the Year Award.

“It’s exciting and we’re proud to be at the forefront of training for future generations,”Polytechnic West managing director, Wayne Collyer said.