Central Queensland has named its 27 finalists in the 62nd Queensland Training Awards.
The 2023 Queensland Training Awards showcase the great work in vocational education and training (VET) across the state, with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, as well as training providers and employers.
Nominations increased by more than 40 per cent from last year with over 210 regional finalists selected from more than 800 nominations across Queensland.
The regional winners in the 11 categories will be announced at the local Queensland Training Awards event at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on Saturday 1 July 2023.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:
"The Queensland Training Awards highlight our top achievers in training and showcase the power of skills.
"It is wonderful to see so many women recognised for their hard work and with many in traditionally male-dominated trades. There are 14 women in the list of 20 individual awards' finalists.
"Congratulations to all the regional finalists who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to grow," Minister Farmer said.
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
Notable winners from last year's Queensland Training Awards include Jennah Halley from Cairns who won the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year and went on to be named Australia's top apprentice.
Jennah, who completed a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, is a proactive role model and mentor encouraging more women to take up the trade.
This year, women dominate the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year and Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year categories in Central Queensland taking out all six finalists' spots.
This includes the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year category, where Eddie Tiller of Mackay is one of the three female finalists.
Eddie completed her Certificate III in Live Production and Technical Services with the Mackay Regional Council and took on leadership roles at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre.
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year finalist, CQUniversity's Diploma of Nursing educator Rachel Legros from Yeppoon focuses on student success and wellbeing while developing and delivering innovative learning activities, including escape rooms and problem-based learning, to enhance student engagement and knowledge retention.
CANEGROWERS Mackay is a finalist in the region's Community Training Initiative of the Year category for its haulout course that supports and creates employment opportunities in the sugar cane industry.
Biloela Mechanical and Agricultural Services (BMAS) is a finalist vying for the Small Employer of the Year regional title.
The company sells and services agricultural equipment and offers employees extensive training opportunities with tailored training schedules, on and off-the-job, apprentice programs and mentor courses.
BMAS is committed to supporting under-represented groups in employment and is working on community projects to entice and retain workers in the industry.
Full list of Central Queensland finalists:
Individual award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year:
Caitlyn Barnes, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, Moranbah
Gemma Riley, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician/ Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control, Gladstone
Mikaly Smith, Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Rockhampton
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year:
Tennelle Bird, Certificate IV in Human Resources Management, Moranbah
Eddie Tiller, Certificate in Live Production and Technical Services, Mackay
Savannah Vella, Certificate III in Business, Yalbaroo, Mackay region
Vocational Student of the Year:
Lochie Fuller, Certificate II in Autonomous Technologies, Moranbah
Michael Hepburn, Certificate III in Community Services, Kawana, Sunshine Coast
Stacey Mason, Diploma of Nursing, Gracemere, Rockhampton region
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year:
Quentin Robertson, Certificate III in Civil Construction, Rockhampton
Tayah Womal, Certificate III in Business, Moranbah
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year:
Abby-Rose Bowman, Holy Spirit College Mackay and NQ Sparks, Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, Mt Ossa, Mackay region
Copelan Smith, Marist College Emerald and Maraboon Veterinary Surgery, Certificate II in Animal Studies, Emerald
Charlotte Sneyd, Moranbah State High School and DentalCareXtra, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, Moranbah
Equity Student of the Year:
Sharon Atkinson, Certificate III in Work Health and Safety, Blackwater
Gracie Lynn Blanchfield, Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, Mackay
Jayden Chen, Certificate III in Business, Emerald
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year:
Trudy Berry, Sarina State High School, Koumala, Mackay region
Rachel Legos: CQUniversity, Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast
Earl Neilsen, Axiom College, Pinnacle, Mackay region
Organisation award categories
Community Training Initiative of the Year:
Apprentices and Trainees Queensland: Ignite Your Opportunities, Gladstone and Rockhampton
Emerald Neighbourhood Centre: Get Set for Work program, Emerald
CANEGROWERS Mackay: Hailout course, Mackay
Large Employer of the Year:
NFR Holdings operating five McDonald's stores, Northern Beaches, East Mackay, North Mackay, Andergrove and Food Court Canelands
Queensland Alumina Limited, Gladstone
Medium Employer of the Year:
Barcam Electrical Services, Mackay
RGM Maintenance Rockhampton
Small Employer of the Year:
Biloela Mechanical and Agricultural Services, Biloela
Intuition The Art of Hair, Mackay
McCarthy Panel Works, Mackay
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/winners-and-finalists/
