Women have taken out all seven individual awards in the Central Queensland region 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.
The region's Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year is Caitlyn Barnes of Moranbah, who has worked at Goonyella Riverside Mine for the past four years completing an electrical apprenticeship and an Advanced Diploma of Applied Electrical Engineering.
Receiving on-the-job training working on electric trucks and draglines, Caitlyn also takes part in a mentoring program for girls.
The winner of the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category, Abby-Rose Bowman from Holy Spirit College Mackay, is undertaking a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical technology and has secured a job with her employer NQ Autosparks.
Abby-Rose aims to inspire future generations including young women looking to enter the industry.
The regional winners were announced at the local Queensland Training Awards event at Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre Saturday 1 July 2023.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:
"The Queensland Training Awards highlight the region's top achievers in training and showcase the power of skills.
"To have women taking out all seven individual awards is a significant achievement.
"Women play a critical role in the Palaszczuk Government's Queensland Workforce Strategy and there are many programs in our strategy that aim to increase participation of women in the workforce, particularly in traditionally male-dominated trades.
"Congratulations to all the regional finalists and winners, who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to grow."
Quotes attributable to Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert
"I am pleased to see the awards recognise our high-achievers with winners from right across the region from Mackay and Rockhampton to Emerald and Moranbah.
"It was fabulous to see Abby-Rose Bowman from Holy Spirit College here in Mackay named winner of the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category and Small Employer of the Year go to McCarthy Panel Works in Mackay.
"I also want to give a special mention to the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre for taking out the Community Training Initiative of the Year for its Get Set for Work program that provides employment assistance for locals.
"In more than 40 years of operation the centre has had a mission to support and strengthen the social well-being of the local community. The centre welcomes everyone, builds connections with isolated and vulnerable people, and collaborates with other organisations to meet community needs.
"I wish our winners from Central Queensland all the best at the Queensland Training Awards state finals in September."
Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke
"It was wonderful recognition for our Vocational Student of the Year Stacey Mason, who is studying a Diploma of Nursing and is from Gracemere.
""I also congratulate the employers, who have won awards for dedication to training their workforce such as RGM Maintenance from Rockhampton, which has been named the region's Medium Employer of the Year.
"The company, which has more than 10 years' experience providing vehicle sales, maintenance and service, integrates training into their business planning with an emphasis on apprenticeships and continuous skill development.
"Good luck to all our Central Queensland finalists at the September state finals."
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
This year state-wide nominations increased by more than 40 per cent from last year with over 210 regional finalists selected from more than 800 nominations.
Notable winners from last year's 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.
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.
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta
Full list of Central Queensland winners:
Individual award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Caitlyn Barnes, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, Moranbah
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Tennelle Bird, Certificate IV in Human Resources Management, Moranbah
Vocational Student of the Year – Stacey Mason, Diploma of Nursing, Gracemere, Rockhampton region
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – 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
Equity Student of the Year – Sharon Atkinson, Certificate III in Work Health and Safety, Blackwater
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Trudy Berry, Sarina State High School, Koumala, Mackay region
Organisation award categories
Community Training Initiative of the Year – Emerald Neighbourhood Centre: Get Set for Work program, Emerald
Large Employer of the Year – NFR Holdings operating five McDonald's stores, Northern Beaches, East Mackay, North Mackay, Andergrove and Food Court Canelands
Medium Employer of the Year – RGM Maintenance Rockhampton
Small Employer of the Year – McCarthy Panel Works, Mackay
Dropbox Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dgdsq08f4hv7e2i17ip0l/h?dl=0&rlkey=e97wuhqs7hwdujlr600ap7pfb
(Caitlyn Barnes, Tenelle Bird, Stacey Mason, Abby-Rose Bowman, Sharon Atkinson, Trudy Berry and McCarthy Panel Works)
