Congratulations to the 2019 state winners and finalists of the 2019 Queensland Training Awards.
Winners were announced by the Minister for Training and Skills Development, Shannon Fentiman, at the Queensland Training Awards State Gala Dinner in Brisbane on Saturday 14 September.
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland
State winner: Ellie Farrington
Qualification: Certificate III in Carpentry
Training provider: Blue Dog Training Pty Ltd
Employer: Valdal Projects
Region: Darling Downs South West
With a passion for the built environment, Ellie Farrington started out studying architecture at university. Feeling that she was learning about design without any knowledge of construction, Ellie decided to change that. After switching to and completing a Bachelor of Mathematics, Ellie sought out a carpentry apprenticeship and hasn't looked back. Ellie's ultimate goal is to provide her clients with a seamless process from initial design to final building handover.
State finalists
Janelle Kent - Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, South East Queensland
Samuel Liddle - Certificate III in Carpentry, North Coast
Leanne Van Dyk - Certificate III in Hairdressing, Tropical North Queensland
Richard O'Brien - Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician / Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control, Central Queensland
Lachlan Thompson - Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology, North Queensland
Lachlan Thoms - Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical), Metropolitan
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by BUSY At Work
State winner: Aman Meles
Qualification: Certificate III in Community Services
Training provider: Designer Life
Group training organisation: WPC Group Limited
Host employer: Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
Region: Metropolitan
Aman Meles' goal is to become a youth worker, a career path he believes will allow him to support young people in his community before they become disengaged. Aman is determined to make the most of every opportunity available to him to achieve his goal. He successfully completed his Certificate III in Community Services in 2018 and is working towards a Diploma of Youth Work.
State finalists
Karsha Dewis - Certificate III in Business, Darling Downs South West
Toby Greenbury - Certificate II in Horticulture, Central Queensland
Naomi Loizou - Certificate III in Business Administration, North Queensland
Tegan Molesworth - Certificate III in Civil Construction, South East Queensland
Chantelle Pedersen - Certificate III in Tourism, Tropical North Queensland
Cardiah Stanley - Certificate III in Hospitality, North Coast
Vocational Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by TAFE Queensland
State winner: Kristy McDermott
Qualification: Diploma of Landscape Design / Diploma of Horticulture
Training provider: TAFE Queensland
Region: Metropolitan
Kristy McDermott was looking for a career that would allow her to spend quality time with her family, and support her passion for land management and sustainability. Completing the dual qualification has also given Kristy the opportunity to work alongside her partner's lawn care business. Through her new venture, Dreamtime Landscapes and Horticultural Services, Kristy designs and plans projects for clients, while her partner maintains the finished product.
State finalists
Melissa Dean - Advanced Diploma of Hospitality, North Queensland
Retaj Maryol - Certificate II in Health Support Services, Darling Downs South West
Jock McDonald - Certificate III in Civil Construction, Central Queensland
Daryl O'Toole - Diploma of Leadership and Management, Tropical North Queensland
Mitchell Stone - Diploma of Software Development, South East Queensland
Yolandie Weir - Diploma of Sports Development / Certificate IV in Fitness, North Coast
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Apprentice Employment Network
State winner: Shaunah Downton
Qualification: Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
Training provider: Stanborough Wemyss Contracting Pty Ltd
Group training organisation: Australian Training Company Limited
Host employer: Metro North Hospital and Health Service
Region: Metropolitan
Shaunah Downton is a school-based trainee who hails from the Kamilaroi tribe in Mungindi. After completing work experience at a local hospital, Shaunah was inspired to pursue a career in nursing and secured a traineeship with Metro North Hospital and Health Service. She hopes her qualification and the experience gained through training will support her future plans to study midwifery.
State finalists
Noa Fletcher - Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management, North Coast
Reilly Luyten-Yet Foy - Certificate II in Retail Services, Tropical North Queensland
Jahkita Kilcoyne - Certificate III in Tourism, South East Queensland
Melataiah Nuggin - Certificate III In Business Administration, North Queensland
Kyla-Rae Saltner-Johnston - Certificate III In Business, Darling Downs South West
Jeanette Timor - Certificate III In Conservation and Land Management, Central Queensland
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Hutchinson Builders
State winner: Luke Fraley
Qualification: Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Training provider: Tec-NQ
Employer: NQ Diesel Pty Ltd
School: Tec-NQ
Region: North Queensland
Luke Fraley has loved cars, trucks, motorbikes and anything with an engine for as long as he can remember. So when it came time to decide what to do as a career, he didn't have to think twice. A keen student in the classroom as well as under the bonnet, Luke's school-based apprenticeship gives him a head start on his dream job while finishing his QCE.
State finalists
James Carroll - Certificate II in Automotive Underbody Technology, North Coast
Kristy Hughes - Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Central Queensland
Retaj Maryol - Certificate III in Individual Support, Darling Downs South West
Jonah Moten - Certificate III in Carpentry, Metropolitan
Callam Sammons - Certificate III in Parks and Gardens, South East Queensland
Jeremy Stainkey - Certificate II in Automotive Electrical Technology, Tropical North Queensland
Equity VET Student of the Year
Proudly sponsored by CQUniversity Australia
State winner: Aman Meles
Qualification: Certificate III in Community Services
Training provider: Designer Life
Group training organisation: WPC Group Limited
Host employer: Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women
Region: Metropolitan
Aman Meles came to Australia as an Eritrean refugee, and as a teenager became disengaged with school and study. Realising he was on a bad pathway, Aman knew he needed to turn his life around and wanted to find a way to help other young people make positive choices. For Aman, completing his traineeship is the first step towards a successful career in youth work.
State finalists
Andrew Ferreyra - Certificate III in Individual Support, Tropical North Queensland
Phyllicia Landers - Certificate II in Retail Services, Darling Downs South West
Jake McCosker - Certificate I in Conservation and Land Management, South East Queensland
Adam Mckillop - Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), North Coast
Sahra-Jade Milner - Certificate III in Community Services, Central Queensland
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
State winner: Jacqui Dale
Employer: Thuringowa State High School
Region: North Queensland
Jacqui Dale has been delivering the Connect 'N' Grow Health Programs since 2017 and has vast experience in the health and education systems. Jacqui's success as an educator has seen her student numbers double. Her dedication to training ensures students are provided with the practical hands-on experience they need to successfully complete their qualifications and go on to further study and careers in health care.
State finalists
Cathryn Clarke - Tully State High School, Tropical North Queensland
Glen McMurtrie - TAFE Queensland, Metropolitan
Dr Shweta Singh - UQ Skills, Darling Downs South West
Tasha Smith - Ready Health Nursing College, South East Queensland
Raymond Wallbank - Emergency Risk Management Queensland, North Coast
Thane Williams - Marist College Emerald, Central Queensland
Large Training Provider of the Year
Proudly sponsored by The Courier-Mail
State winner: CQUniversity Australia
Since merging with CQ TAFE in 2014, CQUniversity's aim has been to become a fully comprehensive and truly integrated tertiary education provider. Today, it is the only university with a campus presence in every Australian mainland state. CQUniversity reaches out to students through a variety of VET pathways, courses and delivery modes, enabling people from diverse regional backgrounds and locations to access quality vocational education.
State finalists
Australian Trade Training College Ltd - www.attc.org.au
TAFE Queensland - www.tafeqld.edu.au
Small Training Provider of the Year
Proudly sponsored by ITECA (Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia)
State winner: MTA Institute
The MTA Institute (MTAI) is the largest private registered training organisation for automotive apprenticeships and traineeships in Queensland. It offers a full suite of nationally accredited automotive qualifications, short courses and school-based programs. The MTAI provides direct industry and employer links, ensuring skills and experience are aligned to industry requirements. This direct connection allows the MTAI to facilitate the best possible employment outcomes for students.
State finalists
Connect 'n' Grow Pty Ltd - www.connectngrow.com.au
Institute of Culinary Excellence (ICE) - www.theice.com.au
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Training & Assessment Mentor (TAM)
State winner: Community Enterprises Australia Ltd
Program: Torres Strait 'Growing Our Own' Maritime Traineeship Program
www.mpath.com.au
(07) 4033 3400
Region: Tropical North Queensland
Community Enterprises Australia Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to creating opportunities that will improve social and economic outcomes within the local community. Their traineeship program targets Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, school leavers and unemployed people with maritime-related qualifications, and supports their transition to employment through work experience and job placements in the maritime industry.
State finalists
All About Living Inc - Carers Consortium, Metropolitan
CPL - Choice, Passion, Life - Mylestones Solutions Garden Crew, North Queensland
Deception Bay Community Youth Programs - Local Pathways to Work, North Coast
Goondiwindi SILO T/A Gateway to Training - Steady, Ready, Go!, Darling Downs South West
Jobs Queensland Limited - Work Skills Traineeships (SQW), Central Queensland
Reclink Australia - Linking Up Employment Pathways Crestmead Project, South East Queensland
Large Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by OSMAC Apprenticeships
State winner: Jubcan Venture Pty Ltd (McDonald's Restaurants - Cairns Central, Cairns Esplanade, Woree, Edmonton, Gordonvale, Innisfail)
www.mcdonalds.com.au/learn/careers
(07) 4031 0292
Region: Tropical North Queensland
Jubcan Venture is committed to providing quality training to crew and managers at its 6 McDonald's restaurants. All staff are supported and encouraged to complete training in retail and leadership and management, from a certificate II to advanced diploma qualification level. Around 15% of crew members are undertaking training at any given time, with 30% of payroll expenditure dedicated to training.
State finalists
Central Highlands Regional Council, Central Queensland
Glencore Mount Isa Mines, North Queensland
Gold Coast Health, South East Queensland
Gympie Regional Council, North Coast
Hastings Deering (Australia) Limited, Metropolitan
Western Downs Regional Council, Darling Downs South West
Medium Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Jobs Queensland
State winner: Astill's Electrical Services
www.astillselectrical.com.au
(07) 4162 7970
Region: Darling Downs South West
Astill's Electrical Services is a family based company, located in Kingaroy and servicing all areas of the South Burnett and Sunshine Coast regions. The company has grown rapidly since it was established in 2009, and now employs more than 20 people. Astill's currently has 6 team members undertaking apprenticeships and are actively working with local high schools to provide work experience opportunities for students and young people.
State finalists
Cavalier Engineering, North Coast
Cummins South Pacific Pty Ltd, Metropolitan
National Trust - Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, South East Queensland
Pacific Marine Group Pty Ltd, North Queensland
Robinson Civil Group, Tropical North Queensland
Small Employer of the Year
Proudly sponsored by Quest Community News
State winner: Kennedy's Timbers
www.kennedystimber.com.au
(07) 3293 0528
Region: Metropolitan
Kennedy's Timbers' first employee completed a Certificate III in Forest and Forest Products Timber Merchandising in 1998. Since then, more than 20 individuals have successfully completed apprenticeships, VET qualifications and university studies while employed and supported by Kennedy's. The business has a dedicated training strategy that includes a commitment to provide a minimum of 1.5% of annual turnover to employee training.
State finalists
Accelerate Auto Electrics and Air Conditioning, North Coast
Bill and Ben The Cabinet Men, North Queensland
ENZED Surat Basin, Darling Downs South West
Recharged Air and Electrical, Tropical North Queensland
Taylored Automotive Services, Central Queensland
Thom and Ann's Restaurant Deli, South East Queensland
Premier's Industry Collaboration Award
State winner: EQIP Gladstone Incorporated
www.eqipgladstone.com.au
(07) 4976 6129
EQIP was created to facilitate collaboration between local schools, community organisations, and business and industry in order to provide students with alternative education opportunities and career pathways. Their goal is to support the economic growth of the Gladstone region by developing the next generation workforce. EQIP’s specialised learning facilities and training programs provide students with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to gain employment.
State finalists
Moranbah State High School and Bright Kids After School Care
William Angliss Institute - Mossman Gorge Centre
Last updated 14 September 2019
