Congratulations to the 2018 winners and finalists of the Central Queensland region.
Winners were announced at the regional final:
When
Saturday 21 July 2018
Where
Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre
View the Central Queensland reigonal final dinner program (PDF, 2.4MB).
The Central Queensland region thanks their sponsors.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Regional winner: Brittany Webster
Qualification: Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council
Brittany Webster's passion for protecting and promoting the natural environment lead her to seek out a horticultural role with Mackay Regional Council in 2013. In her five years at the council she was identified as a leader, role model and advocate for women in horticulture, and has regularly been asked to share her knowledge, mentoring other trainees and educating the community on sustainable environmental practices.
Regional finalists
Laura Carrodus
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited
Cameron Colussi
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty Ltd
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
Regional winner: Michelle Doughty
Qualification: Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management
Training provider: Queensland Agricultural Training Colleges
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council
With a background in conservation and research, Michelle Doughty was looking for a way to get back in to the workforce. As a trainee ranger with CHRC, she is able to undertake on-the-job conservation and land management duties while she learns. In addition, to completing her traineeship, Michelle has enrolled in a Certificate IV in Government Investigations to improve her future prospects as a ranger officer.
Regional finalists
William Devreede
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Skills@Top
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council
Joel Paulson
Qualification: Certificate II in Horticulture
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by CQUniversity Australia
Regional winner: Luke Sondergeld
Qualification: Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing)
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
After experiencing first-hand the essential contribution that nurses provide to our health system, Luke Sondergeld knew that he had found his future career, and wanted to start training as soon as possible. Such was his passion to begin his qualification, he enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing as soon as he was discharged from hospital, and attended his first class with surgical dressing still attached. Now undertaking further nursing studies, Luke can't imagine doing anything else.
Regional finalists
Caitlyn Barnes
Qualification: Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
Training provider: Moranbah State High School
Suzanne McCormack
Qualification: Diploma of Horticulture
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Mackay Regional Council
Regional winner: Jarred Armstrong-White
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Training provider: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited
Employer: Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited
Jarred Armstrong-White began working for Hastings Deering in 2013 as a trades assistant. Fast forward five years and Jarred is still employed with them, now as a fully qualified diesel fitter. As the first person in his family to finish Year 12, he is a firm believer in the benefits of training and continues to be a role model to his family, friends and his local Indigenous community.
Regional finalists
Joel Paulson
Qualification: Certificate II in Horticulture
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Employer: Central Highlands Regional Council
Jerron Wagg
Qualification: Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management
Training provider: Horticultural Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mackay Regional Council
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Queensland Training & Development
Regional winner: Katie Busk
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
Training provider: UNE Partnerships
Employer: Construct Health Physiotherapy
School: Moranbah State High School
The workplace experience Katie Busk has gained through her school-based traineeship has allowed her to learn more about the physiotherapy profession, and gain a better understanding of study options in the industry. Katie believes her training has given her a head start on her future study plans, having gained knowledge of the day-to-day workings of a physiotherapy practice, and the health industry as a whole.
Regional finalists
Phoebe Child
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical)
Training provider: UNE Partnerships
Employer: Sonic Healthplus - Moranbah
School: Moranbah State High School
Jamie Lee Hartwig
Qualification: Certificate III in Agriculture
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: GT & LM Hartwig
School: Eidsvold State School
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Queensland Alumina Limited
Regional winner: Debbie Chilmaid
Qualification: Certificate II in Community Services
Training provider: Designer Life
Community-based organisation: Community Solutions
After a personal tragedy, Debbie Chilmaid spent a long time out of the workforce. When Community Solutions first offered Debbie the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Community Services, she was apprehensive about returning to study, but it turned out to be the first step towards changing her life. Debbie is now, in her own words, qualified, employed by Blue Care Mackay Galaxy and happy.
Regional finalists
Javier Fernandez
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: CQUniversity Australia
Community-based organisation: Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc
Melissa McCurley
Qualification: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Training provider: C&K College of Early Childhood
Skilling Queenslanders for Work funded organisation: MRAEL
Community-based organisation: C&K Eimeo Road Community Kindergarten
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation
Regional winner: Charlie Jensen
Employer: CQUniversity Australia
Charlie Jenson's passion for hospitality and impeccable service culture is passed on to more than 100 vocational students each year. Her students come from a variety of backgrounds, with different skill levels and experience. To overcome this, she has developed a suite of innovative strategies and training methods to ensure that even the most disengaged students find success, both in the classroom and in the hospitality industry.
Regional finalists
Traci Giblett
Employer: Royal College of Health Care
Sheree Nicholson
Employer: Sarina State High School
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Central Highlands Regional Council
Regional winner: Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc
Program: CQMA Community Care
www.cqma.org.au
0438 751 974
Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc (CQMA) recognises the needs of migrant people, and is dedicated to supporting them as they integrate into their new communities. Through the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, CQMA provides participants with access to traineeships in Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways, and Certificate III in Individual Support, with a 72 per cent success rate for employment outcomes.
Regional finalists
Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc (WIN)
Program: Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc (WIN)
www.win-australia.org.au
(07) 4903 1931
Women's Health Information and Referral Service CQ Inc
Program: Confident, Inspired & Ready for Work Program
www.womenshealthrockhampton.com
(07) 4922 6585
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by CQUniversity Australia
Regional winner: Queensland Alumina Limited
www.qal.com.au
(07) 4976 2111
Queensland Alumina Limited are committed to the development of their employees, providing the training necessary to perform their job competently and safely. Training is managed by a dedicated team of trainer assessors and supported by team mentors. To ensure that each employee is receiving the right training, skills and qualifications required to succeed in their role, individual training profiles are created to assess training needs.
Regional finalists
Boyne Smelters Limited
www.boynesmelters.com.au
1800 886 414
Mackay Regional Council
www.mackay.qld.gov.au
1300 MACKAY (1300 622 529)
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by MyneSight
Regional winner: McDonald's NFR Holdings Pty Ltd (Mackay East, Northern Beaches and Canelands Foodcourt)
www.mcdonalds.com.au
(07) 4953 5533
NRF Holdings Pty Ltd licensee Nicole Ramsay is proud to be a part of the Mackay business community, dedicating herself to the continued improvement of her 'family' of McDonald's restaurants. At the heart of this is a focus on training. Staff at the organisation's three stores are encouraged to completed certificate II and III qualifications, and are supported while they undertake both on- and off-the-job training.
Regional finalists
Keppel Bay Sailing Club
www.kbsc.com.au
(07) 4939 9585
Score (Brisbane) Pty Ltd
www.score-group.com
(07) 4839 0300
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by SKILLSTRAIN
Regional winner: Taylored Automotive Services
www.facebook.com/TayloredAutomotive
(07) 4958 2290
Since opening Taylored Automotive Services in Dysart in 2013, Seamus Taylor has seen the business grow from a one-man operation to 10 full-time employees, including four qualified mechanics and a third-year apprentice. Seamus' dedication to training also extends to the operational side of the business, employing a school-based trainee in a Certificate III in Business, and supporting other administration staff to obtain their VET qualifications.
Regional finalists
Bright Kids After School Care
www.moranbahshs.eq.edu.au
(07) 4949 2111
Pumped Juice Bar & Cafe
wwww.facebook.com/Pumped-Juice-Bar-Cafe-824626517574051/
0423 901 379
Last updated 10 January 2019
