QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS ATTRACT STRONG INTEREST

More than 500 of the state’s top training achievers have been nominated for this year’s Queensland Training Awards.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said high calibre nominations for individuals, employers and training organisations had been received across all eleven categories.

“The 2007 Queensland Training Awards continue a 45-year tradition of recognising Queenslanders for training innovation and success,” Mr Welford said.

“A new category, the Premier’s Innovation in Skilling Award, has been introduced this year.

“The new award is for an individual, organisation, or collaboration/partnership that has demonstrated the true spirit of the Queensland Skills Plan.

“This award will be judged on the innovative approach the nominee has taken to skills development that contributes to Queensland’s economic development.”

Mr Welford said the high standard of nominees could be attributed to the outstanding quality of training initiatives that employers and training organisations across the state have initiated.

“Judging panels for the awards now face the difficult task of narrowing down the impressive list of nominees to find training’s highest achievers,” he said.

“The Queensland Training Awards highlight the substantial investment the Queensland Government and the state’s industries have made in transforming vocational education and training, as outlined in The Queensland Skills Plan.”

Regional finals will be held during July and August with winners then progressing to the state final to be held on 13 September, 2007.

Award categories at regional level are: Apprentice of the Year; Trainee of the Year; Vocational Student of the Year; School-Based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year; Small Employer of the Year; Employer of the Year.

Statewide categories are: Public Training Provider of the Year; Private Training Organisation of the Year; Skilling for the Future Award; Premier’s Innovation in Skilling Award.

For more information on the Queensland Training Awards, the progress of nominees and regional finals, please visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

Media Contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000