Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Metropolitan region.
Winners were announced at the regional final on Friday, 29 July 2022.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Regional winner: Adam Doughty
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Major Training Group
Employer: Prekaro Projects
Adam Doughty always knew he wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps and have a career in the construction industry. After initially following a tertiary pathway in engineering, Adam decided to switch lanes and start a building apprenticeship instead.
Having completed his Certificate III in Carpentry, he secured a junior leadership position with his employer, and is working towards a Diploma of Building and Construction.
Regional finalists
Hayden McDonald, Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical)
Sally O'Toole, Certificate III in ESI – Power Systems – Distribution Overhead
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Regional winner: Emily Shmith
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: The Australian Retail College
Employer: Ray White Banyo
Emily Shmith completed a Certificate III in Business as part of her school-based traineeship at Ray White Banyo in 2021. Emily has always been interested in real estate and decided to turn her passion for the industry into a career.
Since completing high school, Emily has secured full-time employment with Ray White Banyo and is currently working towards a Certificate IV in Real Estate Practice.
Regional finalists
Chloe Bignell, Certificate III in Business
Taliyah Hawkins, Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Vocational Student of the Year
Regional winner: Leila Vincent
Qualification: Certificate III in Fitness
Training provider: Binnacle Training
Leila Vincent is a proud Wiradjuri woman with a passion for fitness, particularly martial arts and boxing. Leila is making the most of the vocational training options available to her, choosing a blend of training subjects to ensure her options and horizons are broad once she finishes high school.
With her Certificate III in Fitness, Leila hopes to pursue a career as a personal trainer.
Regional finalists
Rony Andria, Certificate III in Fitness
Jasmine Patricia-Kay Richardson, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Regional winner: Atahnee Simpson
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: Work Skills
Employer: Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Group training organisation: Indigenous Apprenticeship and Traineeship Network
Atahnee Simpson is a proud Wakka Wakka and Jinibara woman. She recently completed a Certificate III in Business Administration while employed at the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.
Atahnee chose a traineeship pathway because it allowed her to return to work and gain a nationally accredited qualification, with paid employment that would help her to support her young family.
Regional finalists
Taliyah Hawkins, Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Emily Moore, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Regional winner: Cooper Mitchell
Qualification: Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Training provider: SWC Training
Employer: Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Group training organisation: Australian Training Company
School: St Patrick's College (Shorncliffe)
Cooper Mitchell was inspired by TV paramedics and his older brother to undertake a nursing traineeship at Metro North Hospital and Health Service. He is currently completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance with a short-term goal of becoming a qualified assistant in nursing.
Once he finishes high school and his traineeship, he hopes to study a Bachelor of Nursing and Paramedicine at university.
Regional finalists
Ella Learman, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Ty Martens, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Equity VET Student of the Year
Regional winner: Cardell Jones
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: St James College
Cardell Jones is a proud Mununjali and Bundjalung man committed to ensuring he is equipped for a long and sustainable career in banking. Just one year into his traineeship, Cardell had already achieved his goal to become a qualified bank teller at Westpac. His ultimate goal after he completes his Certificate III in Business is to become a business banking specialist.
Regional finalists
Manar Abajabal, Certificate III in Christian Ministry and Theology
Kirren Collins, Certificate III in Driving Operations
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Regional winner: Anthony Hill
Employer: St James College
Anthony Hill is a highly experienced VET teacher and leader at St James College. His previous career as an engineering electrical auto mechanic has given him a depth of understanding of his industry, which helps him support his students to become knowledgeable and employable tradespeople.
Anthony's results in student achievement speak for themselves, with more than 98 per cent of his students successfully completing their qualifications in 2021.
Regional finalists
Stephen McCann, Aviation Australia
Phil Vivian, TAFE Queensland
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Regional winner: Sandgate and Bracken Ridge Action Group
Program: Greening North Brisbane
www.sandbag.org.au
(07) 3869 3244
SANDBAG works to break down barriers that exclude people from housing, healthcare, employment and meaningful connections, and to give them a voice.
Through the Greening North Brisbane program, funded under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, participants undertake a traineeship to complete a Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management. In 2022 Greening North Brisbane had 15 participants, with 80 per cent achieving employment outcomes.
Regional finalists
Marist180
SunnyFutures – Sunnybank State High School P&C Association
Large Employer of the Year
Regional winner: Hastings Deering
www.hastingsdeering.com.au
1300 868 538
Hastings Deering is Australia’s largest, exclusive distributor of Caterpillar equipment, technology solutions, parts and service support. To ensure this position, the business is committed to providing unique training opportunities to its employees, from work experience to graduate programs.
In 2021, Hastings Deering hired 44 first-year apprentices, one of the largest intakes in the country, and remains one of Australia’s largest employers and trainers of diesel fitters.
Regional finalists
Hungry Jack's
TSA Group
Medium Employer of the Year
Regional winner: The Kellam Group
The Kellam Group is a hospitality enterprise that includes Montrachet restaurant, King Street Bakery, MICA Brasserie, Mica Express, The Kneadery and Lumiere Events and Culinary Studio.
Through its purpose-built production kitchen, The Kneadery, The Kellam Group are supporting trainees and apprentices in all areas of hospitality. From artisan bakers to pastry to chefs to sommeliers, this approach is building a qualification pipeline for the Kellam Group’s venues and beyond.
Regional finalists
Albem Operations
Gambaro Group
Small Employer of the Year
Regional winner: Ambrose Design and Construct
www.ambrose.com.au
(07) 3325 9141
Ambrose Design and Construct is a luxury home building business, dedicated to excellence in both its craftsmanship and in its customer service. To facilitate this commitment to excellence, it takes pride in a business-wide focus on training. Employees have individual reviews and training plans to ensure the business is investing in the right development opportunities, leading to lower staff turnover and motivated employees.
Regional finalists
Black Jacket Suiting
The Disco
Last updated 29 July 2022
