Congratulations to the 2018 winners and finalists from the Metropolitan region.
Winners were annouced at the regional final:
When
Friday 27 July 2018
Where
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
View the Metropolitan regional final dinner program (PDF, 2.2MB).
The Metropolitan region thanks their sponsors.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Electrogroup Apprenticeships and Training
Regional winner: Christopher Knight
Qualification: Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Followmont Transport Pty Ltd
After completing work placement with Followmount Transport as a GenR8 student, Christopher Knight quickly realised that VET was the right pathway for him. After gaining employment in the company's warehouse, he dedicated himself to becoming trade qualified. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance, but now Christopher can look back on his effort with price, as a fully qualified heavy vehicle mechanic.
Regional finalists
Paul Barrick
Qualification: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Treasury Casino & Hotel
Daniel Stapley
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Energex
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
Regional winner: James Barker
Qualification: Certificate III in Hospitality
Training provider: Axial Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Mantra Group
James Barker has been passionate about the hospitality industry since childhood, when he was fascinated by his grandfather's description of Les Clefs d'Or, an internationally recognised society of professional concierges. On completion of his Certificate III in Hospitality, James was offered the opportunity to continue his employment with Mantra Group, where he trained as a manger. James is now working towards his Diploma of Hospitality.
Regional finalists
Jessica Burke
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Designer Life
Group training organisation: WPC Group Ltd
Host employer: PROTRADE United
Nonnie Shepherd
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: Strategix Training Group Pty Ltd
Employer: The University of Queensland
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Challenge Employment & Training
Regional winner: Patricia Arora
Qualification: Diploma of Community Services
Training provider: Australis College
Employer: Tamborine Mountain Community Care Association (TMCCA)
After immigrating to Australia in 2008, Patricia Arora struggled to find employment. While she held qualifications, her time spent out of the workforce as a mother and homemaker was affecting her applications so she sought to update her skills through VET. After completing her Diploma of Community Services and work placement at TMCCA, Patricia gained permanent employment as a volunteer coordinator with TMCCA.
Regional finalists
Eileen Clarke
Qualification: Diploma of Justice Studies
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Emma Love
Qualification: Certificate II in Kitchen Operations
Training provider: Training Direct Australia
Employer: Sofitel Brisbane
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Blue Dog Training
Regional winner: Lilly Graham
Qualification: Certificate IV in Business
Training provider: Orion Training
Employer: Queensland University of Technology
Through her traineeship at the QUT Business School, Lilly Graham developed a deep love for business and commerce. After completing her training, Lilly found a role with the University of Queensland (UQ), where she continues to be an advocate for the positive benefits of training. Alongside her work at UC, Lilly has also commenced study at the University of Southern Queensland, undertaking a Bachelor of Business and Commerce.
Regional finalists
Mikayla-Haze Adams-Houston
Qualification: Certificate III in Screen and Media
Training provider: Triple A Training
Employer: Brisbane Indigenous Media Association Inc
School: Lourdes Hill College
Nonnie Shepherd
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: Strategix Training Group Pty Ltd
Employer: The University of Queensland
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by McDonald's Australia
Regional winner: Alby Gillis
Qualification: Certificate III in Screen and Media
Training provider: Triple A Training
Employer: Brisbane Indigenous Media Association Inc
School: Emmaus College
Alby Gillis has recently completed a Certificate III in Screen and Media through 98.9FM. He considers his training to be the first step to life-long learning, providing him with key skills in a real-world setting. Through his traineeship, Alby has expanded his knowledge of the media, and is keen to put his experience to use and reach his ultimate goal of gaining an ABC cadetship.
Regional finalists
Jonah Moten
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Blue Dog Training
Employer: Anthony Speedy Construction Pty Ltd
School: Marist College Ashgrove
Levi Van Rooy
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Mendham Engineering
School: Park Ridge State High School
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Jobs Queensland
Regional winner: Helene Heath
Qualification: Certificate I in Business
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Vision Australia
As a long-term unemployed, mature age, visually impaired trainee, Helene Heath was looking for an opportunity to gain the necessary skills to return to the workplace. As a direct result of her traineeship through a Skilling Queenslanders for Work project, Helene's original goals became a reality. With a qualification and work experience on her resume, she was able to gain subsequent employment as a project manager with Blind Alliance Australia.
Regional finalists
Daniela Walker
Qualification: Diploma of Interpreting (LOTE-English)
Training provider: Access Training and Education
Hui Wu
Qualification: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Training provider: Asian Pacific Institute
Employer: Avenues Early Learning Centre Carina
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Australian Child Care Career Options
Regional winner: Lou Marks
Employer: Institute of Management
When Lou Marks is designing his courses and assessments for the Institute of Management, he is dedicated to ensuring that students not only demonstrate their competency to the relevant criteria, but are also challenged to expand their knowledge through training. Students who have passed through his classes feel confident, value their qualification and leave with the independence to apply their skills in the workplace.
Regional finalists
Shane Marshman
Employer: TAFE Queensland
Damian Tehan
Employer: Masters in Building Training
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by WPC Group
Regional winner: Multicultural Community Centre Ltd
Program: Multicultural Community Centre
www.mccbrisbane.org
(07) 3257 1868
In the last two years, the Multicultural Community Centre (MCC) has trained and equipped more than 300 disadvantaged participants with the practical skills and work experience they need to gain an income and meaningful employment. English is a second or even third language for many of its students, and the MCC is dedicated to ensuring culturally and linguistically diverse trainees have the support they need to succeed.
Regional finalists
Challenge Employment & Training
Program: Challenge Employment and Training
www.challengeemployment.org.au
(07) 3282 8000
Marist180
Program: Building the Commons
www.marist180.org.au
0417 643 048
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Regional winner: The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health
www.iuih.org.au
(07) 3828 3600
The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) is the largest employer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in south-east Queensland. It provides comprehensive and culturally accessible primary health care to Indigenous Australians through the delivery of an expansive workforce training program. Since 2010, IUIH has grown its student placement program from 30 students per year to more than 350 students per year.
Regional finalists
Assetlink Services Pty Ltd
www.assetlink.com.au
(02) 9857 7108
Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd
www.hastingsdeering.com.au
(07) 3717 2202
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by All Trades Training
Regional winner: Norman R Wright & Sons (Qld) Pty Ltd
www.wrightsons.com.au
(07) 3399 3911
Since 1909, Norman R Wright & Sons has been designing and building marine vessels on the banks of the Brisbane River. Now in its third generation of the family, Norman R Wright & Sons was a driving force behind the formal recognition of the boatbuilding trade. This support eventually led to the establishment of the Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction, and the employment of 283 apprentices since 1947.
Regional finalists
Hilton Brisbane
www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/queensland/hilton-brisbane-BSBHITW/index.html
(07) 3234 2000
Watkins Steel Pty Ltd
www.watkinssteel.com.au
(07) 3414 7400
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by OSMAC Apprenticeships
Regional winner: Spencer Constructions
www.spencerconstructions.com
(07) 3419 6719
Spencer Constructions is a growing construction business based on the northside of Brisbane. Founded in 2012, it has grown from a one person, home-based business to an office/warehouse-based enterprise that currently employs 14 full-time equivalent staff. It credits its incredibly low staff turnover rate to a strategic staff development and succession plan, with 80 per cent of its tradesmen currently undertaking nationally accredited training.
Regional finalists
John Edwards Automotive
www.johnedwardsauto.com
(07) 3265 7734
Plus Passive Fire
www.pluspassivefire.com.au
1800 727 748
Last updated 10 January 2019
