Congratulations to the 2018 winners and finalists of the North Coast region.
Winners were announced at the regional final:
When
Saturday 21 July 2018
Where
Novotel Twin Waters Resort
View the North Coast regional final dinner program (PDF, 1.8MB).
The North Coast region thanks their sponsors.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by East Coast Apprenticeships
Regional winner: Danyon O'Brien
Qualification: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Training provider: Club Training Australia
Employer: Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital
Danyon O'Brien's ambition was to always make a career out of his love of food. When the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital opened, he got his foot in the door as a catering assistant and hasn't looked back. Since then, Danyon has worked his way through the kitchen, and after successfully proving his competency and potential to the Executive Chef, was offered an apprenticeship.
Regional finalists
Jesse Dobie
Qualification: Certificate III in Manufactured Textile Products
Training provider: TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute
Employer: Switch Sails
Lachlan Thompson
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering - Mechanical Trade
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Shadforths Civil Contractors
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
Regional winner: Sarah Turner
Qualification: Certificate II in Civil Construction
Training provider: Civil Train
Employer: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Sarah Turner considers herself a living example of the benefits of VET. Due to her father's earthmoving business, Sarah grew up surrounded by construction and heavy machinery and could operate a bobcat before she was old enough to drive. She was determined to work in the construction industry, and was proud to be the first female construction trainee at Sunshine Coast Regional Council in 2017.
Regional finalists
Baylee Casper
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Sunshine Coast Regional Council
Janita Pacheco
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: LASA Aged Care Training Institute
Employer: Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Challenge Employment & Training
Regional winner: Kuyan Hoban
Qualification: Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA)
Finding his passion for electrical engineering in his Year 10 physics class, Kuyan Hoban intended to study engineering, but after completing the hands-on training in his Certificate II in Electrotechnology, he realised an electrical trade was more suited to his skills and interests. In recognition of his commitment to his training goals, Kuyan was the first, and also the youngest applicant accepted for the BHP BMA apprenticeship.
Regional finalists
Suzanne Harris
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Training provider: IMPACT Community Services
Employer: Just Better Care
Keira McLeod
Qualification: Certificate IV in Fitness
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Staunch Fitness
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Gidarjil Development Corporation Ltd and Yalga-binbi Institute for Community Development
Regional winner: Tamika Ivey
Qualification: Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics / Certificate II in Hospitality / Certificate III in Education (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)
Training provider: Maryborough State High School
Employer: Maryborough Central State School
Tamika Ivey's incredible work ethic and commitment to training has seen her complete three separate qualifications while enrolled at Maryborough State High School. Since graduating in 2017, she has continued to work towards her training goals and is currently studying a Diploma of Event Management with TAFE Queensland, as well as working full-time.
Regional finalists
Hayden Kubler
Qualification: Certificate III in Hospitality
Training provider: Club Training Australia
Employer: Hervey Bay RSL & Services Memorial Club Inc
William Montague-Elliott
Qualification: Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care
Training provider: Health Industry Training
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by SDS Training
Regional winner: Bryce McLachlan
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Inscope Training Pty Ltd
Employer: McLachlan Homes
School: St Columban's College
Bryce McLachlan's training journey began in 2017 when he was offered the opportunity to complete his Certificate III in Carpentry through a school-based apprenticeship. His choice of trade was an easy one, as Bryce's employer also happens to be his dad. This has come with its own set of challenges as he attempts to learn the ropes in both the family business and the construction industry.
Regional finalists
Eboney Butler
Qualification: Certificate III in Health Service Assistance
Training provider: Stanborough Wemyss Contracting Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: Australian Training Company
Host employer: Metro North Hospital and Health Service
School: St Columban's College
Jessica-Kaye Gayton
Qualification: Certificate III in Hairdressing
Training provider: Matters in Gray
Employer: E P Teaze Hairdressers
School: Brisbane School of Distance Education
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Simple Solutions Training and Consulting
Regional winner: Savannah Kittle
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Training provider: IMPACT Community Services
Employer: Carinbundi
Savannah Kittle faced a number of challenges throughout her adolescence, which affected her access to education. Desperate for a way to improve her circumstances she enrolled in a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), and has found a passion for the disability support industry. Savannah's outlook on life has improved dramatically, and having successfully completed her training, she is now employed part-time at Carinbundi.
Regional finalists
Peta Hamera
Qualification: Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Training provider: Fraser Coast Training Employment Support Service Inc
Employer: Chemist Warehouse Hervey Bay
John Hunt
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: Simple Solutions Training and Consulting
Employer: Sunshine Coast Independent Living Service
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Regional winner: Amanda Schimke
Employer: St Columban's College
Amanda Schimke's experience as a VET teacher, as well as her own training pathway in hospitality, has led her to be a vocal advocate for training. As VET and Career Pathways Leader at St Columban's College, Amanda manages and develops the school's training program and also delivers the hospitality course - where she maintains excellent outcomes for her students, with completion rates above 95 per cent.
Regional finalists
Wayne Morden
Employer: IMPACT Community Services
Wendy Nunn
Employer: STEPS Group Australia
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Designer Life
Regional winner: Gidarjil Development Corporation Ltd
Program: Indigenous Employment and Training Strategy
www.gidarjil.com.au
(07) 4130 7700
Gidarjil's mission is to empower First Nation Australians to become economically independent and provide leadership towards Australian cultural integrity. Gidarjil are dedicated to designing programs that allow Indigenous people to undertake training that meets their career and cultural aspirations, a commitment that has resulted in a successful completion rate of 97 per cent - with more than 60 per cent of those participants finding employment.
Regional finalists
Deception Bay Neighbourhood Centre
Program: Orbital Works...On Track
www.dbnc.org.au
(07) 3204 2022
Reclink Australia
Program: Linking Up Pathways Project - Bundaberg
www.reclink.org
0414 805 078
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Community Solutions
Regional winner: Metro North Hospital and Health Service
www.metronorth.health.qld.gov.au
(07) 3883 7627
Engagement with Metro North Hospital and Health Service (MNHHS) training programs begins in Year 10, with students supported in certificate II and III healthcare qualifications through to their completion of Year 12, and where possible into work or further study. The success of MNHHS's programs has resulted in more than 70 per cent of students remaining with the organisation in either full-time, part-time or casual roles.
Regional finalists
Unitywater
www.unitywater.com
1300 086 489
Youi Pty Ltd
www.youi.com.au
(07) 3719 4800
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by SkillCentred Queensland
Regional winner: Kawana Waters State College
www.kawanawaterssc.eq.edu.au
(07) 5436 9388
Staff at Kawana Waters State College live and breathe VET, engaging in training and skilling to meet a college-wide expectation of continual learning. As a result, they are a fountain of knowledge for their students, and passionate advocates for vocational education and training. Kawana Waters State College is a registered training organisation and its staff currently provide vocational courses and training in more than 50 subject areas.
Regional finalists
Alex Supporters Association Inc
www.alexsurfclub.com.au
(07) 5443 6677
Lifestyle Windows
www.lifestylewindows.com.au
(07) 5351 1655
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by OSMAC Apprenticeships
Regional winner: Avenue Dental Kawana
www.avenuedental.com.au/locations/kawana-dentists/
(07) 5493 4414
Avenue Dental Kawana is proud to offer its staff in-house training opportunities. Its excellence in training has been recognised in the local community, with external trainees also attending the surgery to satisfy Certificate III in Dental Assisting criteria. For the past two years, Avenue Dental Kawana has been a part of the AllevE8 program, assisting school-based health services trainees with vocational training and work placements.
Regional finalists
Maryborough Service Centre
www.maryboroughservice.com.au
(07) 4123 6399
Uptown Hair Studio
www.uptownhair.com.au
(07) 5441 2420
Last updated 10 January 2019
