Queensland's best apprentices, trainees, students, employers and training and community organisations have been recognised at the 58th Queensland Training Awards.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman saidthe prestigious awards celebrate individuals and organisations that strive for and achieve success, best practice and innovation in vocational education and training (VET).
The Minister presented awards to winners across 14 categories and made special mention of double-award winner, Eritrean refugee Aman Meles.
"Aman, who came to Australia as a teenager, has taken out two awards, being named the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year and the Equity VET Student of the Year," Ms Fentiman said.
"After undertaking a Queensland Government pilot program, Transition 2 Success (T2S), Aman turned a passion for helping others into a fully-fledged career by continuing studies in a Certificate III in Community Services.
"Aman has now secured a full-time role with the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, and is finishing a Diploma of Youth Work.
"This is an inspirational achievement for a young man who admits he was on the wrong path before he found VET.
"Another wonderful role model is the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Ellie Farrington from Toowoomba – who sought out a carpentry apprenticeship after completing a Bachelor of Mathematics," Ms Fentiman said.
Through determination and a strong work ethic, Ellie was employed by small business Valdal Projects, where she isan exceptional role model for other apprentices.
"Queensland has some amazing apprentices and trainees and the government is working to give more young people the opportunity to join their ranks," Ms Fentiman said.
"We have just launched a $32 million program of free apprenticeships and traineeships for those under 21.
"This is on top of our Free tafe initiative for year 12 graduates.
"By creating this scheme, the government continues to actively promote the fantastic people, committed employers and training providers, and innovative training initiatives and collaborations that make up our thriving VET sector.
"I congratulate all the winners and nominees from around the state for their hard work and devotion, and for helping to strengthen Queensland's VET sector," Ms Fentiman said.
The 2019 state winners are:
- Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year: Ellie Farrington from Toowoomba, (Certificate III in Carpentry with Blue Dog Training Pty Ltd)
- Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year: Aman Meles from Redbank Plains, (Certificate III in Community Services with Designer Life)
- Vocational Student of the Year: Kristy McDermott from Karalee, (Diploma of Landscape Design and a Diploma of Horticulture with TAFE Queensland)
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Shaunah Downton from Kallangur, (Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with SWC Training)
- School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Luke Fraley from Jensen, near Townsville, (Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology with Tec-NQ)
- Equity VET Student of the Year: Aman Meles from Redbank Plains, (Certificate III in Community Services with Designer Life)
- VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year: Jacqui Dale from Annandale, Townsville, (Thuringowa State High School)
- Community Training Initiative of the Year: Community Enterprises Australia Ltd for their Torres Strait 'Growing Our Own' Maritime Traineeship in Cairns
- Large Training Provider of the Year: CQUniversity Australia
- Small Training Provider of the Year: MTA Institute at Eight Mile Plains
- Large Employer of the Year: Jubcan Venture Pty Ltd (McDonald's Restaurants - Cairns Central, Cairns Esplanade, Woree, Edmonton, Gordonvale and Innisfail),
- Medium Employer of the Year: Astill's Electrical Services in Kingaroy
- Small Employer of the Year: Kennedy's Timbers in Narangba
- Premier's Industry Collaboration Award: EQIP Gladstone Incorporated
The State sponsors of the 2019 Queensland Training Awards are:
News Corp Australia, Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ), BUSY At Work, TAFE Queensland, Apprentice Employment Network, Hutchinson Builders, CQUniversity Australia, Training and Assessment Mentor (TAM), The Courier-Mail, Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), OSMAC Apprenticeships, Jobs Queensland, Quest Community News, Apprenticeship Support Australia, Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Grafix Garage, Portable Creations, Queensland Overseas Foundation, KC Tools, CPX Printing & Logistics, Sheila Sissons Photography, Novotel Brisbane South Bank andBlack and White Cabs .
Some of the winners will also have the opportunity to represent Queensland at the Australian Training Awards, being hosted in Brisbane on 21 November 2019.
