Miles Doing What Matters: Launching Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards 2025!

• Nominations open today for Miles Government’s second annual WIM Apprentice Awards
• Awards to inspire women in manufacturing, with up to $10,000 prize
• Part of the Women in Manufacturing Strategy

Queensland Manufacturing Minister Glenn Butcher has launched the Miles Government’s second annual Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards.

Nominations are now open for the Women in Manufacturing ‘Leading Apprentice Award’ and runner up – the ‘Highly Commended Apprentice Award’ for 2025 and recipients will be announced at the annual International Women’s Day Women in Manufacturing Breakfast next year.

The awards celebrate Queensland’s leading female apprentices who demonstrate strong leadership capabilities in the workplace.

The winner will receive $10,000 and the runner-up, $5,000, with the prize money to support the winners with the cost of items such as tools, uniforms, education or career development courses.

Rio Tinto apprentice, Ainsley Downie took home the 2024 Leading Apprentice of the Year Award for her team-orientated nature, leadership in the workplace and willingness to share her learnings with others.

These awards are part of the Women in Manufacturing Strategy, which enables leadership programs to inspire women to explore a career in manufacturing.

The Leading Apprentice Award is sponsored by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, and the Highly Commended Apprentice Award is sponsored by Manufacturing Skills Queensland.

Approximately 30 percent of Queensland’s manufacturing industry are women. However, women are especially over-represented in clerical and administrative roles at 77 percent and under-represented in technician and trades roles at 11 percent.

The Miles Government’s Women in Manufacturing Strategy aims to attract, train and retain more women in the manufacturing industry by focusing on increasing participation in traditionally male dominated roles, to achieve more diversity in the industry right across Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Manufacturing, Glenn Butcher:

“I’ve said it before – you can’t be what you can’t see. That is why promoting the incredible role women are playing in manufacturing is so important. This is all about working to see more women employed in this industry across Queensland.

“I’m really proud to be part of a government that recognises outstanding women apprentices – these women are fantastic role models. These awards are an opportunity to show young women there are career opportunities in manufacturing.

“While Labor continues to invest in Queensland manufacturing - the LNP would rather talk down the sector.

“The biggest risk to our manufacturing sector is the LNP. They cut programs, they sacked staff and they made trains overseas. What else will the LNP cut if they ever came to government?”

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

“Young Queenslanders are kicking down the door for the high-paid hi-vis careers on offer in our Big Build, and these award winners are the best of the best.

“We have a record number of apprentices in training in Queensland, and thanks to funding from fairer coal royalties Labor is offering Free Apprenticeships, Free TAFE, and Free Tools for First Years to get more young people into a good job.

“There’s no clearer difference between Labor and the LNP than when it comes to jobs and training, their plan will jack up course fees, close campuses, and sack staff across Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO, Rebecca Andrews:

“Manufacturing Skill Queensland is excited to support the Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards for a second year. Last year I was impressed with the calibre of the young women who applied for the award.

“These awards celebrate Queensland’s leading female apprentices who demonstrate strong leadership and teamwork capabilities—they’re crucial for inspiring future generations of women in the industry.

“I am looking forward to learning about the amazing women who are leading the way in their workplaces through the 2025 awards, and strongly encourage employers to nominate their female apprentices.”

Quotes attributable to Leading Apprentice of the Year Award recipient, Ainsley Downie:

“I was thrilled to win this award in its first year. I have signed up to do a diploma of leadership and project management course and am buying some tools that I require with the prize money.  

These awards promote the amazing work women are doing and show that there are so many career opportunities for us in manufacturing.”

Further information:

Nominate for the Award here.

Read the Women in Manufacturing Strategy here.

ENDS

Media contact: Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004