Toowoomba's Gabrielle Clift is the toast of the Queensland Training Awards being named our state's Apprentice of the Year.
Held in Brisbane tonight (9 September), the 2023 Queensland Training Awards showcase great work in vocational education and training (VET) statewide, with categories honouring apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, training providers, and employers.
Qualified light vehicle mechanic Gabrielle Clift was awarded the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year title, after completing an apprenticeship with Highfields Mechanical, in the Darling Downs region.
Following work experience with Triple Eight Race Engineering, Gabrielle was asked to join the crew at the famed Bathurst 1000 and is now working for Triple Eight full-time.
Gold Coast resident Charlotte Ross – one of four winners from South East Queensland –was named Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year after completing a Certificate IV in Information Technology through Precept Education.
Charlotte continues to make a valuable contribution to the IT industry through her employment with ONGC Systems.
A number of regional employers were also recognised at the awards – including automotive repairer McCarthy Panel Works.
The North Mackay-based business won the Small Employer of the Year for their dedication to training and upskilling the next generation, to fill much-needed positions in the local community.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:
"These Awards highlight how the Palaszczuk Government is helping to strengthen our local communities – providing great training and keeping jobs local.
"In the individual award categories, we honoured trailblazing women – who are forging careers and driving change in male-dominated industries.
"We've also recognised outstanding teachers and employers, whose enthusiasm, advice and encouragement are helping to grow Queensland's skilled workforce.
"These annual awards are not only an important celebration for the training sector, but a reminder of the many people who contribute to our success, and who are helping to address workforce shortages across the regions.
"The Palaszczuk Government is ensuring all Queenslanders have opportunities to grow their skills with relevant training and get a great job and I'm pleased to see so many great examples of this tonight.
"We are so proud of all of the Queensland Training Awards winners and finalists, and look forward to seeing them represent Queensland at the National Training Awards in November."
Photos of the winners can be found in the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/du7o0a41e0olgm7/AAD0Ki8ZO8cTMYJj-579d2GIa?dl=0
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
The state winners were announced at the Queensland Training Awards State Final Gala Presentation dinner at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in South Brisbane on Saturday 9 September 2023.
This year, state-wide nominations increased by more than 40 per cent from 2022 – with more than 210 regional finalists selected from more than 800 nominations.
The Queensland Government invests more than $1.2 billion annually in training and skills and that investment is a driving force behind the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.
Selected state winners will compete for national accolades at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart, Tasmania on Friday 17 November 2023.
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta
Full list of statewide winners:
Individual award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Gabrielle Clift, Darling Downs South West (Toowoomba)
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Charlotte Ross, South East (Gold Coast)
Vocational Student of the Year – Jessica Addo, Tropical North Queensland (Cairns)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Shaniqua Burke, Tropical North Queensland (Napranum)
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino, Tropical North Queensland (Western Cape College, Weipa)
Equity Student of the Year – Dean Clark, South East (Gold Coast)
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Craig Jones, UQ Skills (Gatton), Darling Downs South West
Organisation award categories
Community Training Initiative of the Year – Everything Suarve Inc, South East (Logan)
Large Employer of the Year – White's IGA, North Coast (Sunshine Coast)
Medium Employer of the Year – All Purpose Transport, South East (Berrinba)
Small Employer of the Year – McCarthy Panel Works Pty Ltd, Central Queensland (North Mackay)
State direct entry
Large Training Provider of the Year – TAFE Queensland (Queensland)
Small Training Provider of the Year – Demi International (Queensland)
Premier's Industry Collaboration Award – Programmed Training Services (Gladstone)
Photos of the winners can be found in the link below:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/du7o0a41e0olgm7/AAD0Ki8ZO8cTMYJj-579d2GIa?dl=0
