- Inspiring apprentices, trainees, teachers, and employers crowned across 14 categories.
- Ipswich carpenter Jessica Bichsel named Apprentice of the Year and Cairns youth workers Kayla Gagai awarded Trainee of the Year.
- Winners set to represent Queensland at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin this December.
- Crisafulli Government delivering on promise to build a pipeline of skilled workers and restore confidence in training after Labor's decade of decline.
Queensland's brightest training stars have been celebrated at the 2025 Queensland Training Awards State Final in Brisbane overnight – shining a spotlight on the people and organisations transforming lives and building the State's future workforce.
From more than 740 nominations across Queensland and seven regional finals, 14 winners were honoured at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcasing the strength and reach of skills and training across the State.
Among the standout winners was Ipswich carpenter and construction ambassador Jessica Bichsel, crowned Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, after swapping a tourism career for carpentry and making her mark building sets for theatre, film and television.
Cairns youth worker Kayla Gagai took out the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award, recognised for turning her passion for helping young people into a career supporting First Nations youth across Far North Queensland.
Other winners included Emerald's Andrew Abbas, named VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year, CQUniversity Australia as Large Training Provider of the Year, and Bowen aged care provider Murroona Gardens as Medium Employer of the Year.
Under the former Labor Government's decade of decline, course completions fell and opportunities were lost for aspiring Queensland workers.
After just 10 months, the Crisafulli Government is restoring confidence in training by backing apprentices, trainees, and training providers to deliver results across Queensland.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates said the Awards captured the heart of Queensland's training story.
"The Queensland Training Awards shine a light on the people who've taken bold steps, overcome challenges and forged new careers," Minister Bates said.
"This year, most of our winners come from outside the south-east corner – showing that training and skills are creating opportunities right across Queensland."
"From Jessica breaking ground in construction to Therese Stanton returning to healthcare at 62 after recovering from a stroke – these are stories of resilience and inspiration."
"Our 14 winners are not only role models in their communities - they are shaping the skilled workforce Queensland needs for the future.
"After a decade of decline under the former Labor Government in training, our 14 winners have emerged not only as role models in their communities but as a key part of shaping the skilled workforce we are committed to building for Queensland's future.
State winners in nationally aligned categories will now represent Queensland at the 2025 Australian Training Awards in Darwin on 5 December.
