Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the South East Queensland region.
Winners were announced at the regional final:
When
Friday 5 July 2019
Where
Home of the Arts (HOTA)
View the South East Queensland regional final dinner program (PDF, 1.5MB).
The South East region thanks their sponsors.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland
Regional winner: Janelle Kent
Qualification: Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: The Council of the City of Gold Coast
Janelle Kent spent countless hours working on cars and trucks with her dad growing up, and when the time came to choose a career path, mechanics seemed the obvious way to go. But it was Janelle's affinity for electrical work in high school science that led her to find her true passion, her automotive electrical apprenticeship, which she successfully completed in 2018.
Regional finalists
Emma Arkinstall
Qualification: Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: The Star Culinary Institute
Charlie Nightingale
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrican
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Tri State Electrical and Communications Pty Ltd
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
Regional winner: Tegan Molesworth
Qualification: Certificate III in Civil Construction
Training provider: Current Training (Qld) Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: Programmed Skilled Workforce Limited
Host employer: Roadtek
Growing up on a cattle farm in a tiny town in Far North Queensland, Tegan Molesworth gained a great appreciation for working outdoors and excellent problem-solving skills, both of which have helped her in her journey to successfully completing a civil construction traineeship with RoadTek. Tegan is passionate about training and continued learning, and hopes to gain further qualifications in the construction industry.
Regional finalists
Rebecca Aguirre
Qualification: Certificate III in Events
Training provider: One Step Further Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: Maxima Group Training
Host employer: Logan City Council
Rhys Briggs-Andrews
Qualification: Certificate II in Civil Construction
Training provider: RudTek Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: Programmed Skilled Workforce Limited
Host employer: Roadtek
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Multilink Community Services
Regional winner: Mitchell Stone
Qualification: Diploma of Software Development
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: The Council of the City of Gold Coast
A self-confessed IT nerd, Mitchell Stone had some experience working with new technologies while serving in the Australian Defence Force, but wanted to make sure he found the right training option for him. Just 6 weeks after beginning his diploma, Mitchell secured an internship with The Council of the City of Gold Coast, and after the successful completion of his qualification, was offered a full-time digital developer position.
Regional finalists
Catherine Foster
Qualification: Diploma of Community Services
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Employer: Right at Home (Gold Coast Northern Rivers)
Abeer Salem
Qualification: Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
Training provider: New York Film Academy - Gold Coast
Employer: Lotus Production House
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by City of Gold Coast
Regional winner: Jahkita Kilcoyne
Qualification: Certificate III in Tourism
Training provider: Prestige Service Training
Employer: Dreamworld
School: Trinity Lutheran College
Jahkita Kilcoyne chose to undertake a Certificate III in Tourism because it provides her with the opportunity to create her own career pathway in a diverse industry. Jahkita's traineeship with Dreamworld allows her to share her Torres Strait Island culture while gaining valuable work experience. She enjoys the fast-paced nature of her work, and hopes her qualification will lead to a long-lasting tourism career.
Regional finalists
Allister Dolan
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Aurora Training Institute
Employer: Pets Paradise Helensvale
School: Southport State High School
Bryan Hinkins
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Aurora Training Institute
Employer: Goldsteins Bakery
School: Southport State High School
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by TAFE Queensland
Regional winner: Callam Sammons
Qualification: Certificate III in Parks and Gardens
Training provider: Landscape Skills
Group training organisation: WPC Group Limited
Host employer: Greenworx
School: Beaudesert State High School
Callam Sammons has always loved being outdoors and working in the garden, starting his own local lawn care business at 7 years of age. So when he was given the opportunity to start a landscaping apprenticeship, Callam knew he'd found he training pathway for him. He is passionate about promoting VET in school, and is a proud ambassador for the career options provided through training.
Regional finalists
Eva Angeloglou
Qualification: Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Training provider: Kool Kids Training College Pty Ltd
Employer: G8 Education (Qld)
School: Merrimac State High School
Jahkita Kilcoyne
Qualification: Certificate III in Tourism
Training provider: Prestige Service Training
Employer: Dreamworld
School: Trinity Lutheran College
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Redland City Council
Regional winner: Jake McCosker
Qualification: Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management
Training provider: Greening Australia Training
Employer: Running Wild... Youth Conservation Culture Inc.
Growing up in Port Macquarie, Jake McCosker developed a passion for the natural environment and Australian landscape. After a move to Russell Island, Jake was looking for something to kickstart his pathway to employment. Following the successful completion of his Work Skills Traineeship with Running Wild, Jake has developed confidence, skills and experience, and is now working towards completing an apprenticeship in landscape construction.
Regional finalists
Cameron Hall
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering Electronics (Drone Technology)
Training provider: TAFE Queensland.
Kushal Solanki
Qualification: Diploma of Information Technology
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by The Star Entertainment Group
Regional winner: Tasha Smith
Employer: Ready Health Nursing College
A registered nurse, Tasha Smith is dedicated to ensuring her students are at the centre of learning. She is an educator of choice at Ready Health Nursing College, sharing her extensive clinical and surgical experience and a deep sense of caring. With a steady flow of new students actively seeking her out on the recommendation of previous trainees, Tasha has achieved a 100% completion rate, with all of her students going on to employment, volunteering or further study.
Regional finalists
Kimberley Korevaar
Employer: The French Beauty Academy
Cassie Stanley
Employer: Prestige Service Training
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Designer Life
Regional winner: Reclink Australia
Program: Linking Up Employment Pathways Crestmead Project
www.reclink.org
0414 805 078
Reclink Australia is a national non-profit organisation focused on the development and implementation of sport, art, social, recreation, training and employment programs for people experiencing disadvantage. Reclink Australia delivers projects through the Queensland Government's Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, which have resulted in positive employment outcomes for 83% of participants.
Regional finalists
Multilink Community Service Inc
Program: Links to Hospitality
www.multilink.org.au
(07) 3808 4463
National Retail Association
Program: Ready for Retail
www.nra.net.au
1800 738 245
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by MEGT (Australia) Ltd
Regional winner: Gold Coast Health
www.goldcoast.health.qld.gov.au
1300 744 284
Gold Coast Health is a learning organisation with strong partnerships with local tertiary education providers. Traditionally, much of the training at Gold Coast Health was focused on clinical and frontline staff, which left significant gaps in other areas of the workforce. To address this training shortfall, a new higher level apprenticeship pilot was developed to support existing employees to complete a recognised vocational qualification.
Regional finalists
Brown and Hurley Pty Ltd
www.brownandhurley.com.au
(07) 3441 7000
Frizelle Sunshine Automotive
www.frizellesunshine.com.au
1300 663 937
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by All Trades Queensland
Regional winner: National Trust - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
www.currumbinsanctuary.com.au
(07) 5534 1266
Owned and operated by National Trust Australia Queensland, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is an iconic Gold Coast attraction. CWS designs its own extensive, individualised training programs to suit a workforce spread across multiple industries, including tourism, hospitality, horticulture, retail, veterinary sciences, wildlife, business and construction. Training is an essential part of the CWS culture and all staff are engaged in training activities throughout their employment.
Regional finalists
Jamadu (QLD) (McDonald's Burleigh Waters, Robina Central, Reedy Creek, Palm Beach, Elanora and Tugun)
www.mcdonalds.com.au/learn/careers
(07) 5607 1829
North Australian Contracting Pty Ltd
www.facebook.com/North-Australian-Contracting-Pty-Ltd-876496099219602/
(07) 3806 1366
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by OSMAC Apprenticeships
Regional winner: Thom and Ann's Restaurant Deli
www.thomandanns.com.au
(07) 5677 0828
Thom and Ann's Restaurant Deli is a fully licensed restaurant in Yarrabilba offering fresh seasonal produce and local deli products. As qualified chefs themselves, owners Scott and Fiona encourage and support their staff to undertake traineeships and apprenticeships, in order to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the food and hospitality industries, now and in the future.
Regional finalists
6729 Bakery
www.activeopportunities.org/6729-bakery
0426 831 461
Goldtrim Tiling
www.goldtrimtiling.com
(07) 5520 0595
Last updated 8 July 2019
