Queenslanders shine at Australian Training Awards

Published Friday, 20 November, 2015 at 03:28 PM

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Training and Skills
The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

Queensland’s strong vocational education and training sector shone in Hobart last night, with four national winners from Queensland announced at the prestigious Australian Training Awards.

Training and Skills Minister Yvette D’Ath congratulated the winners — and the entire Queensland contingent — for highlighting the state’s training excellence to the nation.

“The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards for vocational education and training,” Mrs D’Ath said.

“Our winners put Queensland’s training credentials on display last night, and I applaud them and the entire state team on their achievements and commitment to training.”

The Australian Training Awards recognise outstanding apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, training providers and employers, as well as lifetime and national achievers.

Queensland winners at the 2015 Australian Training Awards were:

  • Small Employer of the Year Award winner Hy-Performance Fluid Power
  • International Training Provider of the Year Award winner Charlton Brown
  • Lifetime Achievement Award winner Peter Henneken AM.

TAFE East Coast’s Sharan Berry was named runner-up in the VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award category.

Mrs D’Ath said Carole Park’s Hy-Performance Fluid Power and hairdressing teacher Sharan Berry had already taken out state-best honours at the 54th Queensland Training Awards (QTA) in September, with the state’s other national champions advancing as direct entries.

“These high achievers are the best of the best in vocational education and training — a sector that is vital to our economy and a priority of the Queensland Government,” she said.

“Everyone who contested these prestigious awards should be very proud of their efforts.

“The Queensland team deserves a special mention, having been selected from an exceptionally high standard of finalists this year.”

For details on the Australian Training Awards, including a full list of winners, please visit www.australiantrainingawards.gov.au.

Information about the Queensland Training Awards, run by the Department of Education and Training, is available at www.qta.qld.gov.au.

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