A Logan state high school is celebrating after claiming the top title for industry collaboration at the 57th Queensland Training Awards State final tonight.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk congratulated Mabel Park State High School for winning the Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award for its Health Hub, a world-class school-to-work transition program.
"The hub, now in its third year, offers vocational education and training (VET) to Year 10 to 12 students from 14 schools across the Logan area," the Premier said.
"The collaboration consists of partners from education, training, industry and three levels of government, and aims to address future workforce shortages in the health industry while also encouraging students to remain at school and follow a pathway that has real job outcomes.
"The Health Hub has delivered very impressive results with a 93 per cent completion rate last year, 70 students graduating with a Certificate II qualification, and 25 of those moving on to school-based traineeships. The exit data shows 50 per cent of Year 12s who graduated in 2016 have continued on a health career pathway, along with 60 per cent of graduates in 2017.
"The Health Hub has become a one-stop shop for local industry to access potential employees."
The Premier, who presented the award at the finals event at Brisbane’s Royal International Convention Centre, recognised all 14 winners for their contribution to the State’s economy through their dedication to training excellence.
"The Queensland Training Awards winners and nominees from around the State represent the strength of our economy, and I congratulate everyone who has participated," the Premier said.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman made special mention of TAFE Queensland, which won the Large Training Provider of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year, and two TAFE Queensland students and a teacher who were awarded top honours.
"Brisbane heavy vehicle mechanic Christopher Knight, who received his training at TAFE Queensland, takes home the prestigious Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award," Ms Fentiman said.
"TAFE Queensland’s health industry educator, Leanne Morgan from Ravensbourne, is the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year, being recognised for her innovative approach of using storytelling as an effective teaching strategy.
Minister Fentiman said the Queensland Training Awards highlighted the range of ways VET contributed to career development.
"The Vocational Student of the Year, Odin Lowsley from Currumbin, is another TAFE Queensland graduate who has used his VET qualifications as a stepping stone to university study.
"After completing a Certificate III in Multimedia in Year 10 and a Diploma of Graphic Design, and graduating top of his class, he was accepted to study a dual degree at Griffith University at just 16‑years‑old."
The Minister also congratulated the Community Training Initiative of the Year winner, Running Wild, for its Macleay Island Campground project, a successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative.
"The organisation promotes social cohesion and positive employment outcomes for the local people of the Southern Moreton Bay islands," Ms Fentiman said.
"The apprentices, trainees, students, teachers, trainers, training and community organisations and employers recognised this year represent a range of industries that are important to the State’s economy.
"Their success stories demonstrate how training is building careers for individuals and developing skilled workforces for businesses right across the State, with winners from Cairns to Currumbin.
"It is tremendous to see such diverse training courses and businesses represented, from construction, health, automotive and farming to hospitality and community services.
"Celebrating the fantastic work so many people are doing in Queensland’s training sector is important, as the State needs more skilled workers and businesses that support people to build careers in their industry."
The 2018 Queensland Training Awards received more than 840 nominations, and the 85 finalists received regional awards. The overall winners are:
- Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award: Mabel Park State High School’s Health Hub
- Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year: Christopher Knight, Aspley (Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology with TAFE Queensland)
- Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year: Kathleen Jones, Jarvisfield (Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology with Ramsden Telecommunications Training)
- Vocational Student of the Year: Odin Lowsley, Currumbin (Diploma of Graphic Design at TAFE Queensland)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Meagen Beaumont, Kirwan (Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with Connect ‘N’ Grow)
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Lachlan Darr, Oakey (Certificate III in Agriculture with Rural Training Australia)
- Equity VET Student of the Year: Corina Macpherson, Labrador (Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) with FSG Australia)
- VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year: Leanne Morgan, Ravensbourne (with TAFE Queensland)
- Large Training Provider of the Year: TAFE Queensland
- Small Training Provider of the Year: Institute of Culinary Excellence at Coorparoo and Kelvin Grove
- Community Training Initiative of the Year: Running Wild Youth Conservation Culture Inc on Macleay Island
- Large Employer of the Year: Pullman Cairns International
- Medium Employer of the Year: SunPork Farms, Tong Park at Warra on the Western Downs
- Small Employer of the Year: Spencer Constructions at Brendale, north Brisbane
The State sponsors of the 2018 Queensland Training Awards are:
News Corp Australia, Construction Skills Queensland, Busy At Work, TAFE Queensland, Apprentice Employment Network, Hutchinson Builders, Velg Training, CQUniversity Australia, Health and Community Services Workforce Council, The Courier-Mail, the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), OSMAC Apprenticeships, Jobs Queensland, Quest Community News, Queensland Government’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Royal International Convention Centre, Apprenticeship Support Australia, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Grafix Garage, Sheila Sissons Photography, CPX Printing & Logistics, Portable Creations, Queensland Overseas Foundation, KC Tools and Wink Fitness.
Twelve of tonight’s winners will have the opportunity to represent Queensland at the Australian Training Awards in Sydney on 15 November 2018.
