Training awards attract top field of regional finalists

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman and Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher have congratulated the five Gladstone regional finalists for Queensland’s top training gongs.

Ms Fentiman said the Gladstone finalists represented a range of training achievers, from big business to community services, who made up the 225 finalists from across the state in the Queensland Training Awards.

The Minister made the announcement while visiting Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc, a Community Training Initiative of the Year regional finalist, which is one of the five Gladstone finalists.

“I congratulate Welcoming Intercultural Neighbours Inc. (WIN) for being selected as a regional finalist and for its work helping people from culturally diverse backgrounds integrate into their new communities,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Working with CQUniversity Australia, WIN has been able to provide nationally accredited training to their participants, as well as helping them get into the workforce.

“In 2017, of its 14 Certificate III in Individual Support participants, 10 are now working in the local community.

“WIN is one the 225 finalists from the seven regions who will vie for a place at the state final in Brisbane in September.”

Mr Butcher said that Queensland was home to many skilled apprentices and vocational workers and that he was proud that so many of finalists were from Gladstone.

“Queensland prides itself on the quality of our apprentices and trainees with many of our state’s winners going on to win national recognition,” he said.

Ms Fentiman congratulated all finalists in the 11 regional award categories.

“The apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers, trainers, employers and community organisations should be proud of their achievements so far,” she said.

“They have been selected because they have used vocational education and training (VET) to grow their careers or businesses and their efforts have helped strengthen the local community.

“They deserve recognition and support for their commitment to training excellence and I encourage local community members to attend the regional final and support their local finalists.

“The Queensland Training Awards are an important part of the state government’s commitment to training and skills development.”

The regional award categories are Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year, Equity VET Student of the Year, Community Training Initiative of the Year and Small, Medium and Large Employer of the Year.

The Queensland Training Awards Central Queensland Regional Final will be held on Saturday 21 July 2018 at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre. Tickets will go on sale in June.

The Queensland Training Awards are run by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training with the support of regional sponsors and state sponsors.

A full list of the regional finalists is available at: https://training.qld.gov.au/qta/winners-and-finalists/regions.

For further information and regional final event tickets, visit https://training.qld.gov.au/qta/award-ceremonies.

The other four Gladstone finalists are:

• Javier Fernandez, Equity VET Student of the Year finalist
• Queensland Alumina Limited, Large Employer of the Year finalist
• Boyne Smelters Limited, Large Employer of the Year finalist
• Score (Brisbane) Pty Ltd, Medium Employer of the Year finalist

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 Media contact: Inga Williams 0410 769 711