Brisbane and Ipswich celebrate local Queensland Training Awards champions

• The top apprentice, trainee, VET teacher and employers from across Brisbane and Ipswich have been crowned at the 2024 Queensland Training Awards Metropolitan regional final.
• The 11 awards include the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year and the VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.
• The regional winners will progress to the state final in September.

The 63rd Queensland Training Awards regional finals showcase the great work in vocational education and training (VET) across the state, with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, community training projects and employers.

Supported by the Miles Labor Government, the awards saw almost 750 statewide nominations this year, with the regional finalists representing the excellence, hard work, and dedication evident in Queensland’s high-performing training system.

Harry Roberts, from Yatala, has been named the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year after completing his Certificate III in Arboriculture as part of the Brisbane City Council team caring for trees in the city’s streets and parks.

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year Daniel Foster, from Sadliers Crossing, used his Diploma of Business to help improve the operations of the not-for-profit, The Centre for Men and Families.

Ryan Wareham from Northpine Christian College in Dakabin is the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – recognising his work with Metro North Health at Caboolture Hospital, while completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.

CRA Construction, based in Geebung, is the Small Employer of the Year with half their staff undertaking a trade – including apprentices and three qualified plasterers looking to add carpentry to their skill sets – as well as supporting work experience and other opportunities to attract more women into construction.

The awards follow the biggest reform to skills and training in almost a decade – the new Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024-2028 – that will deliver one million subsidised training places, easing cost-of-living pressures for those who want to train, upskill, reskill, and pursue careers in the state’s priority industries.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum:

“The Miles Labor Government is committed to doing what matters for our great state which means giving every Queenslander the opportunity to access quality training that can get them a good job with better pay.

“The Queensland Training Awards are the pinnacle of that promise, providing a platform to highlight the top performers in training and demonstrate the transformative power of skills.

"As the proud Member for Bundamba, I’m also excited to congratulate our local Ipswich winners who are being recognised in this year’s Awards.

“Collingwood Parks’ Liam Santos took home Equity Student of the Year, after overcoming different challenges and completing a Certificate III in Hospitality traineeship with the support of the team at Hungry Jack’s, his trainer, and his parents.

“I congratulate all of all our Metropolitan regional winners and wish them all the best at the Queensland Training Awards state final in September.”

Further information:

The regional winners were announced at the regional Queensland Training Awards event at Brisbane City Hall on Friday, 5 July 2024.

Individual award categories

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year — Harry Roberts, Certificate III in Arboriculture, Yatala

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year — Daniel Foster, Diploma of Business, Sadliers Crossing

Vocational Student of the Year — Atong Koot, Certificate III in Individual Support, Annerley

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year — Shelby Barney, Certificate III in Business, Ellen Grove

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year — Ryan Wareham, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Dakabin

Equity Student of the Year — Liam Santos, Certificate III in Hospitality, Collingwood Park

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year — Tanu Jayaswal, Australian International Islamic College, Doolandella

Organisation award categories

Community Training Initiative of the Year — SunnyFutures – Sunnybank State High School Parents and Citizens, SunnyFutures Ready for Work program

Large Employer of the Year — 99 Bikes, head office in Bowen Hills

Medium Employer of the Year — WIRED Overhead Solutions, Pinkenba

Small Employer of the Year — CRA Construction, Geebung

In the 2024-25 State Budget $370 million has been committed to training and skills to drive the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 and the Good Jobs, Great Training: Queensland Skills Strategy 2024 – 2028.

To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards and see the full list of regional finalists and winners visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta

Images of the winners can be found at www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/wxt84b01c4fsax6lam76a/AKINMKvTtVhi7WEPoZ3Rnmg?rlkey=ujxiuncyzvxlvwlr7thk185or&dl=0

ENDS

Media contact:

Minister McCallum’s Office: Andrew Churchill 0472 645 871