Congratulations to the state winners and finalists of the 2021 Queensland Training Awards. Learn more about the state final and winner announcements.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
State winner: Lauren Campbell
Qualification: Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration
Training provider: Box Hill Institute
Employer: AG Coombs Queensland
Region: Metropolitan
Lauren Campbell has been hooked on the refrigeration trade since she undertook work experience with her employer AG Coombs Queensland while still in Year 12. She applied for an apprenticeship with them a few months after graduating and hasn't looked back since. This year, she completed her Certificate III in Air-conditioning and Refrigeration and is delighted to be employed as a fully-qualified tradesperson.
State finalists
Bonnie Anderson, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, North Queensland
Lane Hewett, Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade (Maintenance – Diesel Fitting), Darling Downs South West
Casey Hewitt, Certificate III in Picture Framing, North Coast
Jack Page, Certificate III in Electronics and Communications, Central Queensland
Harvey Phillips, Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, Tropical North Queensland
Sam Raper, Certificate III in Plumbing, South East
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
State winner: Mitchell Pogan
Qualification: Certificate III in Business
Training provider: Sportsready Education
Employer: Western Downs Regional Council
Region: Darling Downs South West
Mitchell Pogan wanted to find a career opportunity that would allow him to remain close to his hometown of Miles, while undertaking work that allowed him to give back to this rural community. Through his traineeship with Western Downs Regional Council, Mitchell was able to complete a nationally recognised qualification and has now obtained employment with council as a Community Activations Support Officer.
State finalists
Abigail Cuddihy, Certificate III in Engineering – Technical, Metropolitan
Jadzia Dalamaras, Certificate III in Business, Tropical North Queensland
Kailu Johnson, Certificate III in Concreting, North Queensland
Lachlan Overend, Certificate III in Warehousing Operations, Central Queensland
Anja Siebers, Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management, North Coast
Ashleigh Tomlinson, Certificate III in Sport and Recreation, South East
Vocational Student of the Year
State winner: Helen Millen
Qualification: Certificate III in Individual Support
Training provider: ARC Training
Region: Tropical North Queensland
After embarking on a career change, Helen Millen decided to undertake training in her role as a disability support worker. Through dedication to her studies, Helen finished her 12-month course in just over 6 months—completing a Certificate III in Individual Support at the end of last year. Completing a formal qualification has given Helen an increased level of confidence in her role.
State finalists
Harry Atterbury, Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot – Visual Line of Sight), Central Queensland
Connor Chadwick, Certificate IV in Music Industry (Performance), Metropolitan
Benjamin Jones, Diploma of Leadership and Management, North Queensland
Jasmin Maroni, Diploma of Agribusiness Management, Darling Downs South West
Mikayo Mundy, Diploma of Screen and Media, North Coast
Tania Wells, Diploma of Nursing, South East
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
State winner: Kasey Hardy
Qualification: Certificate III in Work Health and Safety
Training provider: Harness Energy Services
Employer: Harness Energy Services
Host: Shell QGC
Region: Darling Downs South West
For Kasey Hardy, a traineeship offered the perfect opportunity to get a taste of the industry, rather than signing up for an apprenticeship before she knew what to expect. Kasey chose the resources sector to learn more about natural gas extraction, particularly about its impact on the environment. Having now completed her traineeship, she is continuing her workplace health and safety studies through another traineeship.
State finalists
Kya Bob, Certificate III in Individual Support, South East
Siobhan Hogan, Certificate II in Engineering, Tropical North Queensland
Kailu Johnson, Certificate III in Concreting, North Queensland
Jasper Malthouse, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Metropolitan
Litia Pitt, Certificate III in Business, Central Queensland
Maddison Wiggs, Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance, North Coast
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
State winner: Bree Connell
Qualification: Certificate III in Barbering
Training provider: MIG Training Group
Employer: Murphy's Barber Shop
School: Flagstone State Community College
Region: South East
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 re-engage 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.
State finalists
Sydney Bodkin, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, Darling Downs South West
Loralei Coleman, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, North Coast
Jasper Malthouse, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Metropolitan
Paris Robinson, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, Central Queensland
Mataya Vikionkorpi-Bin-Garape, Certificate III in Business, Tropical North Queensland
Dylan Woodfield, Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, North Queensland
Equity VET Student of the Year
State winner: Mary Chol
Qualification: Certificate III in Fitness
Training provider: Binnacle Training
School: St James College
Region: Metropolitan
Education is everything for Mary Chol and her family, and as a result she has taken every opportunity to learn and grow through the vocational training programs offered to her at St James College. She is currently undertaking a Certificate III in Fitness, and is especially interested in the health competencies involved in the qualification, as she aspires to study nursing at university.
State finalists
Delaney Allen, Certificate III in Education Support, Tropical North Queensland
Courtney Baker, Certificate III in Business Administration, North Coast
Alanah Hembrow, Certificate III in Hospitality, North Queensland
Tatum Kite, Certificate I in Hospitality, Darling Downs South West
Liticha McMullen, Certificate IV in Human Resources, Central Queensland
Glenn Stacey, Certificate III in Individual Support, South East
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
State winner: Danielle Dixon
Employer: The Institute of Culinary Excellence
Region: Metropolitan
Danielle Dixon has experience working in some of Australia's top restaurants, as well as in the Masterchef kitchen. She has excelled as a trainer at The Institute of Culinary Excellence (ICE) and was promoted to Executive Chef and Head of School in 2020. Through Danielle's initiative, ICE was able to transform its teaching methods through COVID, and migrate to online learning, saving countless apprenticeships and careers.
State finalists
Narelle Crick, North Coast
Valerio Esposito, North Queensland
Matt Foster, South East
Lawrence Grant, Tropical North Queensland
Margaret Haynes, Central Queensland
Dr Shweta Singh, Darling Downs South West
Large Training Provider of the Year
State winner: TAFE Queensland
www.tafeqld.edu.au
1300 308 233
TAFE Queensland operates across a network of more than 50 campuses, in the workplace and online. Its current training curriculum spans across more than 520 programs, entry level qualifications to higher education degrees. A statewide delivery model supports its commitment to working with students from a range of socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, as well as those in remote locations and students with diverse needs.
State finalists
Asset College
CQUniversity Australia
Small Training Provider of the Year
State winner: The Institute of Culinary Excellence
The Institute of Culinary Excellence (ICE) offers world-class culinary training to apprentice and trainee chefs. ICE is proud to provide their students with training from some of the best chef teachers in the industry, in purpose-built training kitchens at Coorparoo and Kelvin Grove. ICE's individualised training strategy ensures it is able to support each student's needs, as well as the demands of their future employers.
State finalists
AustCare Training
Mater Education Limited
Community Training Initiative of the Year
State winner: The Migrant Centre Organisation Inc.
Program: Migrants Matter VIII and WorkAble
www.migrantcentre.org
(07) 5591 7261
Region: South East
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 job seekers 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.
State finalists
Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc, Central Queensland
Five Bridges, North Coast
Golden West Apprenticeships, Darling Downs South West
Mission Australia, Tropical North Queensland
North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, North Queensland
SunnyFutures – Sunnybank SHS Parent and Citizen Association, Metropolitan
Large Employer of the Year
State winner: Frizelle Sunshine Automotive
www.frizellesunshine.com.au
(07) 5583 8888
Region: South East
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.
State finalists
CPB BAM Ghella UGL Joint Venture, Metropolitan
Queensland Alumina Limited, Central Queensland
Western Downs Regional Council, Darling Downs South West
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, North Coast
Wilmar Sugar, North Queensland
Medium Employer of the Year
State winner: Robinson Civil Group
www.robinsoncivil.com.au
(07) 4096 2399
Region: Tropical North Queensland
Robinson Civil Group—or RCG—are a leading Queensland civil construction company based in the Tropical North. Within the last 2 years RCG has significantly increased its workforce and training budget, requiring a comprehensive training program to support staff in their ongoing professional development. RCG is proud to provide its employees with tailored training and development plans to suit their individual qualifications, experiences and career aspirations.
State finalists
Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited, Darling Downs South West
Hilton Brisbane, Metropolitan
Just Better Care Brisbane North, North Coast
Mendi Group, North Queensland
NFR Holdings Pty Ltd (McDonald's Mackay East, Northern Beaches, and Canelands Central), Central Queensland
Sea World Cruises, South East
Small Employer of the Year
State winner: Core Developments NQ
www.coredevelopments.com.au
(07) 4772 6026
Region: North Queensland
Core Development NQ is a family run business that places the contributions of its employees at the centre of everything is does. Core Development NQ attributes its strong employee retention and positive team environment to a commitment to training. The business is proud to have 100 per cent of its full-time staff undertaking nationally accredited courses to further their skills and knowledge.
State finalists
Ambrose Homes, Metropolitan
GMH Electrical Contracting, Tropical North Queensland
Hamilton, North Coast
Intuition The Art of Hair, Central Queensland
Montessori Child Care and Kindergarten, South East
Queensland Country Meats, Darling Downs South West
Premier's Industry Collaboration Award
State winner: Queensland Water Skills Partnership
www.qldwater.com.au/water_skills_partnership
The purpose of the Queensland Water Skills Partnership is to work together on activities that support all water industry staff to achieve the skills and experience required to deliver safe, secure and sustainable water and sewerage services across Queensland. Organisations with a specific interest in the development of skilling and training initiatives opt-in to the program through an annual membership. The partnership currently has 51 participating organisations.
State finalists
Enhanced Pathways Program by East Coast Apprenticeships in partnership with TAFE Queensland
Queensland Future Skills (QFS), a partnership led by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, with TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity Australia
Last updated 8 October 2021
