FORMER Murwillumbah TAFE student Thomas Rann has scored his dream job in the racing industry and also found himself on the winner's dais for the studies that helped him land the coveted role.

Thomas, who was recently employed as a mechanic on the Ford Performance Racing V8 supercar team, won both the Apprentice of the Year and the Transport Faculty Achievement award at the North Coast TAFE awards staged at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus late last month.

Thomas was one of three Tweed students to win gongs at the awards which recognise the efforts in 2012 of high achieving students from across 17 campuses incorporating 45,000 students.

Faculty director Julie Board said Thomas displayed drive, communication and leadership skills.

"He was a successful competitor in auto trade events and Worldskills competitions, and has a passion for the industry - lives it and promotes the value of education to others in the industry," Ms Board said.

Other local winners included Lourna Huthnance, who gained her Certificate Three in customer contact at Kingscliff Campus. Lourna was awarded the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student of the year award.

Tara McGhee, a business administration student also at the Kingscliff facility, won the Business Services Faculty Achievement award.