HARD WORK PAYS OFF IN QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS

Queensland’s top employers, educators, apprentices, trainees and vocational students, were honoured tonight at the annual Queensland Training Awards.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the awards were the longest-running Queensland Government program paying tribute to outstanding achievements in vocational education and training for more than 45 years.

“The state final showcased the outstanding efforts that are keeping Queenslanders skilled and competitive,” Mr Welford said.

“With infrastructure and resources booming in Queensland, we want to ensure local businesses and industries can continue to thrive with workers equipped with world-class skills and training.

“From carpentry to commercial cooking, these awards recognise the training initiatives by workplaces, schools and training institutions.

“We are leading the nation with the number of new apprenticeships and traineeships and our recently-announced Train to Retain Action Plan is helping ensure these apprentices and trainees complete their qualifications.

“Our $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan is keeping our vocational education and training system in line with industry needs.”

Mr Welford said the winners were chosen from 33 finalists, with more than 500 entries received across the program’s 11 categories.

Category winners were rewarded with $1000 from National Australia Bank, return economy international flights from Royal Brunei Airlines and a DELL Australia laptop.

The winners will compete at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart on November 8.

A full list of award recipients follows. For more information, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey 3237 1000 or 0419 734 985

2007 QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS — STATE WINNERS

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Construction Skills Queensland
Thomas Spottswood (Maryborough)
Qualification: Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Fitting and Turning)
Training provider: Wide Bay Institute of TAFE
Employer: Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Ltd

Trainee of the Year, sponsored by BUSY AT WORK Apprenticeships Services
Kerri Schulz (Loganholme)
Qualification: Certificate IV in Business Administration
Training provider: Specialised Training Services
Employer: Shailer Park State High School

Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Alumina Limited
Selena Smith (previously of Townsville)
Training provider: Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Diploma of Visual Arts

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Rhys Morley (Kelso, Townsville)
Qualification: Certificate III in Marine Engineering
Training provider: Brisbane North Institute of TAFE
School: Kirwan State High School (Townsville)
Employer: B & M Outboard Repairs

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Michael Rennie (Yeronga)
Qualification: Certificate III in Broadcasting (Radio)
Training provider: Triple A Training

Small Employer of the Year
Payton Kitchens (Toowoomba)

Employer of the Year
John Love Electrical (Maroochydore)

Public Training Provider of the Year
Gold Coast Institute of TAFE

Private Training Organisation of the Year, sponsored by the Australian Council for Private Education and Training
Blue Dog Training (Windsor)

Skilling for the Future Award, sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Science and Training
Gladstone Schools Engineering Skills Centre (Gladstone)

Premier’s Innovation in Skilling Award, sponsored by CareerOne, The Courier-Mail
Main Roads/Myuma/Seymour Whyte Constructions - The Split Rock Inca Alliance (Mount Isa/Camooweal)