Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the South East region.
Winners were announced online on 16 July 2021 – watch the announcement here!
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Regional winner: Sam Raper
Qualification: Certificate III in Plumbing
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Paul Gray Plumbing Services
Gaining a mature age apprenticeship was a challenge for Sam Raper, but one he was keen to take on. Sam's commitment to the industry put him in a good position to take the opportunity with both hands when it arose. Having now completed his Certificate III in Plumbing, Sam is continuing his studies as he works towards his next goal of a plumping contractor licence.
Regional finalists
Blake Ashby
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Blue Dog Training
Employer: Impress Building
Zoe De Pryck
Qualification: Certificate III in Cabinet Making
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Maritimo Labour Pty Ltd
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Regional winner: Ashleigh Tomlinson
Qualification: Certificate III in Sport and Recreation
Training provider: Australian Training Company
Group training organisation: Maxima Training Company
Host employer: Logan City Council
Ashleigh Tomlinson's passion for the fitness industry and strong desire to learn saw her complete her Certificate III in Sport and Recreation 6 months ahead of time. Seeing an opportunity to gain further skills, Ashleigh also completed a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance – all within the original traineeship completion timeline. Ashleigh has now secured her dream job, supporting people to reach their health goals.
Regional finalists
Teeshanah Cartes
Qualification: Certificate III in Business Administration
Training provider: Axiom College
Group training organisation: East Coast Apprenticeships
Host employer: FME Financial Services
Isabella Robertson
Qualification: Certificate III in Events
Training provider: One Step Further Training Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: MEGT
Host employer: Logan City Council
Vocational Student of the Year
Regional winner: Tania Wells
Qualification: Diploma of Nursing
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
After working in aged care for 3 years, Tania Wells decided it was time to take the plunge and expand her skills by beginning her nursing training. Over 2 years, while juggling part-time work and family commitments, Tania worked hard to complete her Diploma of Nursing. She was delighted to achieve both her study and career goals – securing a permanent position as an Enrolled Nurse at Gold Coast Private Hospital.
Regional finalists
Naimah Cameron
Qualification: Diploma of Accounting
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Trent Hall
Qualification: Certificate III in Hospitality
Training provider: Prestige Service Training
Employer: Preston Campbell Foundation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Regional winner: Kya Bob
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Group training organisation: OSMAC Apprenticeships
Host employer: Logan Hospital, Metro South Health
School: Mabel Park State High School
After completing the Health Hub Program and a Cetificate II in Health Support Services, Kya Bob found her passion for helping others and decided to continue her training. Kya is now working towards a Certificate III in Individual Support as part of a school-based traineeship. Balancing school work and on-the-job training has been challenging, but Kya is focused on finishing her qualification and achieveing her goals.
Regional finalists
Naimah Cameron
Qualification: Diploma of Accounting
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Trent Hall
Qualification: Certificate III in Hospitality
Training provider: Prestige Service Training
Employer: Preston Campbell Foundation
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Regional winner: Bree Connell
Qualification: Certificate III in Barbering
Training provider: MIG Training Group
Employer: Murphy's Barber Shop
School: Flagstone State Community College
Bree Connell's schooling turned a corner when she enrolled in a Certificate II in Salon Assistant. This small step towards her goal of being a hairdresser ignited her passion for training – and helped her reengage with education. With improved attendance and achievement in the classroom, Bree's trainer was delighted and supported her to begin a school-based apprenticeship at Murphy's Barber Shop.
Regional finalists
Max Fletcher Mynott
Qualification: Certificate II in Automotive Underbody Technology
Training provider: Motor Trades Australia
Group training organisation: Business Success Group
Host employer: Paul's Nerang Mechanical Workshop
School: Benowa State High School
Erin Walsh
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: Mater Education
Employer: Vacenti Victoria Point
School: Shailer Park State High School
Equity VET Student of the Year
Regional winner: Glenn Stacey
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Glenn Stacey is no stranger to overcoming challenge. But finding satisfying and sustainable employment was something Glenn struggled with for some time. As a deaf person, Glenn's preferred language is Auslan and he faces challenges every day, such as difficulty using a phone. Through his community, Glenn learned about deaf support workers and thought this would be the perfect career for him. With hard work, dedication and support, Glenn was able to complete his Certificate III in Individual Support and gain employment as a support worker.
Regional finalists
Trinity James Quinn
Qualification: Certificate II in Horticulture
Training provider: LT Training
Group training organisation: Business Success Group
Host employer: Aveo Southport Gardens
Dannielle Sloane
Qualification: Certificate II in Hospitality
Training provider: Designer Life
Employer: Java Train Cafe
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Regional winner: Matt Foster
Employer: TAFE Queensland
Drawing on his experience as a rugby league player and trainer as well as fitness qualifications, Matt Foster teaches across 3 areas – fitness, sport and first aid. Faced with the challenges of 2020, Matt developed an innovative online delivery approach that enabled him to continue teaching the practical elements of his coursework. This successful approach was shared across TAFE Queensland Gold Coast as part of the organisation's wellness strategy.
Regional finalists
Ricky Naicker
Employer: Australian Institute of Learning Pty Ltd
Emily Quirk
Employer: City Venue Management
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Regional winner: The Migrant Centre Organisation Inc. (T/A TMC)
Program: Migrants Matter VIII and WorkAble
www.migrantcentre.org
(07) 5591 7261
The Migrant Centre, also known as TMC, is a leading provider of multicultural training and employment services, assisting newly arrived Australians, people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the long-term unemployed. TMC considers the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative a stepping stone for jobseekers to gain economic participation and runs 2 programs—Migrants Matter and WorkAble—through its funding. Both produced employment outcome rates of 77 per cent in 2020.
Regional finalists
The Baptist Union of Queensland – Carinity
Program: Community Work Skills – Caring Communities
www.carinity.org.au
(07) 3550 3737
Running Wild ... Youth Conservation Culture Inc.
Program: Paddock to People
www.runningwild.org.au
0473 435 086
Large Employer of the Year
Regional winner: Frizelle Sunshine Automotive
www.frizellesunshine.com.au
(07) 5583 8888
A local, family-owned business, Frizelle Sunshine Automotive has grown to be Australia's largest private automotive group. Frizelle takes great pride in its commitment to workforce development, with up to 94 per cent of staff members currently undertaking some form of training. By June this year, there were 175 active apprentices and trainees across its group operations, with qualifications ranging from automotive servicing technology to sales and business management. These employees are a testament to Frizelle Sunshine Automotive's dedication to providing its employees with the training and support they need to ensure the best possible service for customers.
Regional finalists
Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd
www.fultonhogan.com
(07) 3827 7900
Scenic Rim Regional Council
www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au
(07) 5540 5111
Medium Employer of the Year
Regional winner: Sea World Cruises (SW CruiseCo Pty Ltd)
www.seaworldcruises.com.au
(07) 5539 9299
Sea World Cruises co-directors are passionate about developing and training the next generation of tourism business operators, skippers and marine crew. The business's 7 vessels provide the ideal training platform for tourism and marine trainees, supporting on-the-job training in a real-world environment. In early 2021, Sea World Cruises had 31 staff members undertaking training, including traineeships in maritime operations and business – equating to 55 per cent of its total workforce.
Regional finalist
Darwalla Group
www.darwalla.com.au
(07) 3822 0500
Small Employer of the Year
Regional winner: Montessori Child Care & Kindergarten
www.mudgeerabamontessori.com
(07) 5530 2899
Montessori Child Care and Kindergarten provide the very best in child care and genuine Montessori education. Its team pride itself in providing the best educational child care on the Gold Coast. Training is provided to all staff from Certificate III through to tertiary pathways. Montessori employ people who are diverse in culture and qualification, and believes sharing differences with children is part of their educational journey.
Regional finalists
The American Bourbon Bar & Grill
www.theamericanbourbonbar.com
(07) 3387 6050
Rob Milla Electrical Pty Ltd
www.millaelectrical.com.au
0415 277 890
Last updated 16 July 2021
