- The top apprentice, trainee, VET teacher and employers from across Central Queensland have been announced at the 2024 Queensland Training Awards regional final.
- The awards include the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year and the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.
- The 10 regional winners will progress to the state final in September.
The 63rd Queensland Training Awards regional finals showcase the great work in vocational education and training (VET) across the state, with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, community training projects and employers.
With almost 750 statewide nominations this year, the selected regional finalists represent the excellence, hard work, and dedication evident in Queensland's high-performing training system.
Tyler Gscheidle is Central Queensland's Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year and is now a qualified carpenter and continues to work with Gladstone's Werry Building, where he now guides and mentors other apprentices.
Chelsea Bostock's commitment to becoming a hairdresser has led to her winning School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year. The St Patrick's College Mackay student completed a Certificate II in Salon Assistant in Year 10 before excelling in her apprenticeship with Intuition – The Art of Hair as she completes her last years of school.
Johnson's 4WD in Rockhampton is the Small Employer of the Year as recognition for their great work developing the skills of their apprentices and staff to deliver high-quality four wheel-drive services and repairs.
The local winners were announced at the regional Queensland Training Awards event at Gladstone Entertainment and Convention Centre on Saturday, 6 July 2024.
As stated by Member for Mackay, Assistant Minister Julieanne Gilbert MP:
"It was an honour to represent Central Queensland in recognising our high achievers in this year's Queensland Training Awards, including Mackay local Chelsea Bostock who has a very bright future ahead in her trade.
"It was also great to see VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year Gareth Hartley, who is based in Mackay, recognised for his work as an automotive industry trainer with MTA Institute.
"Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Bevin Querro moved from Bowen to Mackay to join Hastings Deering and added auto electrics as his second skilled trade and now works on some of the biggest vehicles out there.
"I wish our winners from Central Queensland all the best at the Queensland Training Awards state final in September and would like to congratulate all of the finalists who have achieved so much, including my grandson Keione Hulme-Moir."
As stated by Member for Keppel, Assistant Minister Brittany Lauga MP:
"The new Miles Labor Government is doing what matters for Central Queenslanders, putting them at the front of the line for good local jobs in our region, and helping them get their hands on their own golden ticket to this decade of opportunity.
"Our Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year, Chloe Cameron, completed a water industry operations traineeship with Rockhampton Regional Council while studying part-time at university, and is now furthering her career in environmental management and water quality.
"From Free TAFE to Free Tools for First Years, and now Free Construction Apprenticeships, the Miles Government is helping more Central Queenslanders discover highly skilled careers that come from construction apprenticeships."
As stated by Member for Rockhampton, Barry O'Rourke MP:
"The new Miles Labor Government is committed to giving every Central Queenslander the opportunity to access quality training to get a good job with better pay.
"A huge congratulations to Central Queensland's Vocational Student of the Year Jacqueline Grundy, who after working in retail, started a job at a sawmill and has been building her skills and career.
"By completing a Certificate II in Timber and Wood Products Operations at one of our region's biggest sawmills, she's a critical player in the supply chain that is building more homes for Queenslanders."
As stated by Member for Gladstone, Minister Glenn Butcher MP:
"Gladstone is Central Queensland's trade heartland, so it was great to see this year's awards hosted in our proud industrial city and supported by the new Miles Labor Government.
"A huge congratulations to Gladstone local Tyler Gscheidle who took out the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award for his Certificate III in Carpentry.
"Well done also to Emerald Neighbourhood Centre and Central Highlands Regional Council, which took out Community Training Initiative of the Year and Large Employer of the Year - this shows training is strong in our regions."
As stated by Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:
"The Queensland Training Awards provide an ideal platform to highlight the top performers in training and demonstrate the transformative power of skills.
"The Miles Labor Government is backing more locals like them by funding one million training places for Queenslanders, easing cost-of-living pressures for those who want to train, upskill, reskill, and pursue careers in the state's priority industries.
"This strategy is not just real cost of living relief now, but a chance at a better life, with better pay and a better job, helping grow our economy right across the state.
"Labor's Free TAFE has changed lives–people who were facing homelessness, mothers returning to work, and young people who haven't finished high school–have completed free TAFE courses and come out with good jobs.
"There's no clearer difference between Labor and the LNP who will jack up course fees and make young Queenslanders pay for their apprenticeships–they'll have to, because they don't back the coal royalties that pay for it."
Full list of Central Queensland winners:
Individual award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year — Tyler Gscheidle, Certificate III in Carpentry, Gladstone
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year — Chloe Cameron, Certificate III in Water Industry Operations, Rockhampton
Vocational Student of the Year — Jacqueline Grundy, Certificate II in Timber and Wood Product Operations, Theodore
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year — Bevin Querro, Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, Mackay
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year — Chelsea Bostock, Certificate III in Hairdressing, Mackay
Equity Student of the Year — Denise Cotter, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Sarina
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year — Gareth Hartley, MTA Institute, Mackay
Organisation award categories
Community Training Initiative of the Year — Emerald Neighbourhood Centre's Get Set for Work program
Large Employer of the Year — Central Highlands Regional Council
Small Employer of the Year — Johnson's 4WD, Rockhampton
In the 2024-25 State Budget $370 million has been committed to training and skills to drive the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 and the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028.
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards and see the full list of regional winners visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/winners-and-finalists/regions
Images of the winners can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/qcil1rdszicyy4mui30ua/AKhl_5gnr_kclUkHRY_neow?rlkey=k80fkowui3ryrz1xilar8dwcr&dl=0
