A not-for-profit community-based organisation supporting migrants in Biloela and Rockhampton has been selected as a Central Queensland regional winner in the 60th annual Queensland Training Awards.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer named the Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc. and 10 other Central Queensland regional winners, recognising their significant contribution to training Queenslanders especially at such a challenging time.
"The Palaszczuk Government put investing in skills at the centre of our COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan, and with over $1 billion in the recent state budget dedicated to training and skills, we are delivering on that commitment," Minister Farmer said.
"The Queensland Training Awards provide a perfect opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on our top achievers in training and highlight the power of skills."
Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said she was delighted that Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc. is the regional winner of the Community Training Initiative of the Year category for a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project, Community Work Skills.
"The organisation is dedicated to supporting migrant people as they build their lives in a new community," Ms. Lauga said.
"Through their Community Work Skills project, participants undertake a Certificate lll in Individual Support and access tailored support so they can achieve their work goals.
"This has been so successful that in 2020 it achieved a 93 per cent success rate for employment outcomes for its 31 trainees in Biloela, and 71 per cent for 31 trainees in Rockhampton."
Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said she was proud that 4 of the 11 winners were based in Mackay.
"It's fantastic to see that Mackay organisations and trainees are doing so well," Ms. Gilbert said.
"For example, Intuition The Art of Hair was named as the region's Small Employer of the Year.
"They have been selected for their commitment to training and I congratulate owner Victoria Rushby, who is passionate about ensuring growth opportunities are available to all her staff.
"Equipped with the latest industry skills, knowledge and experience, the team at Intuition The Art of Hair specialise in all aspects of hairdressing.
"Since purchasing the salon in 2017, Victoria has implemented a strong focus on training and education, and she believes this approach is essential to the future development of her employees and business.
"The Central Queensland winner in the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year category, Jack Page, is based at Ergon Energy in Mackay.
"Jack was working in a fly-in-fly-out role that was not sustainable for his young family and wanted to find a career that would allow him to be closer to home.
"Jack's prior experience and an ongoing interest in electronics and technology, made an apprenticeship with Ergon Energy the ideal fit.
"Jack has now completed his Certificate III in Electronics and Communications and is a fully-qualified electrician."
Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, said the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year category winner is Lachlan Overend, who discovered an interest in material management while working at Woolworths during high school.
"With the successful completion of a Certificate III in Warehouse Operations under his belt, Lachlan is now applying his knowledge and skills at NRG Gladstone Power Station," said Mr. Butcher.
"As a qualified mechanical fitter and turner who did my apprenticeship with the Gladstone Power Station, I know how important it is to get access to quality skills and training.
"It was also fantastic to see Queensland Alumina Limited out the award for Large Employer of the Year.
I had a proud 21-year career at QAL and I know that this world-leading facility is committed to the development of its employees — providing them with the training needed to perform their jobs competently, safely and to a high standard.
"These companies and their local workers are an integral part of Gladstone's history, and will play a key role in its future."
"I'd like to congratulate all the entrants and winners from the Gladstone region and thank them for taking pride in their jobs, our local industry, and encouraging the growth of local careers."
Minister Farmer said it was extremely important that the hard work of the state's outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training projects was recognised.
"Congratulations to all the regional winners who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to continue to bounce back."
The regional winners will now vie for the state titles, which will be announced at the State Final Event in September.
Photographs of winners are available here: https://bit.ly/3zKw5kS
Full list of Central Queensland winners:
- Small Employer of the Year – Intuition The Art of Hair
- Medium Employer of the Year – NFR Holdings Pty Ltd (McDonald's Mackay East, Northern Beaches and Canelands Central)
- Large Employer of the Year – Queensland Alumina Limited
- Community Training Initiative of the Year – Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc. for Community Work Skills
- VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Margaret Haynes
- Equity VET Student of the Year – Liticha McMullen
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Paris Robinson
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Litia Pitt
- Vocational Student of the Year – Harry Atterbury
- Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Lachlan Overend
- Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Jack Page
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta
