Nicholas Hassler attends Kiama High and recently won the Illawarra Schools Excellence in Vocational Education and Training Student of the Year - Student with Disabilities award. 

The 19-year-old has both a significant intellectual and physical disability. 

Mr Hassler won this award due to the work he has completed in Business Services. 

He received a Certificate of Excellence in Business Services and Disabled Student of the Year for 2015.

The Business Services curriculum framework is designed to enable students to acquire a range of technical, practical, personal and organisational skills.

They also acquire knowledge and skills related to work, employment and further training within the Business Services industry.

Through the study of this subject, students gain experiences that can be applied to a range of contexts, including work, study and leisure and that will assist them to make informed career choices. 

He has completed work experience at Kiama High, both in the office and the canteen, and has also worked at Kiama Library.

He is also the assistant coach of the under-12s Kiama Power AFL team, who were runners-up this year, and has been involved in charity work.

Mr Hassler also achieved a Certificate I and II in Office Administration.

He was particularly commended on his social skills, his ability to work well in teams, his excellent sense of humour and his great work ethic.  

His mother Sue-ellen said he was looking for a part-time job in the Kiama area.

“If there would be any local businesses willing to give Nick a trial that would be amazing,” he said.

“He just wants to work like his brother and sister.”