QUEENSLANDERS TAKE ON NATION AT TRAINING AWARDS

All 11 winners of the Queensland Training Awards have been short-listed for the 2007 Australian Training Awards.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the awards were the nation’s highest honour for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, training providers and employers recognising both innovation and excellence.

“The national winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Hobart on 8 November,” Mr Welford said.

“It is an outstanding achievement for all Queenslanders nominated for the Australian Training Awards to be short-listed.”

“This demonstrates the strength of our state’s vocational education and training system and I wish all our finalists the best of luck as they compete in the nationwide field.”

The short-listed Queensland finalists in the 2007 Australian Training Awards are:

• Thomas Spottswood, of Maryborough – Australian Apprentice of the Year
• Kerri Schulz, of Loganholme – Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
• Selena Smith, previously of Townsville – Vocational Student of the Year
• Michael Rennie, of Yeronga – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
• Rhys Morley, of Kelso, Townsville – Stella Axarlis Australian School based Apprentice of the Year
• Payton Kitchens, of Toowoomba – Prime Minister’s Small Business of the Year
• John Love Electrical, of Maroochydore – Employer of the Year
• Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, Southport – Large Training Provider of the Year
• Blue Dog Training, Windsor – Small Training Provider of the Year
• Gladstone Schools Engineering Skills Centre, Gladstone – VET in Schools Excellence Award
• Main Roads, Myuma and Seymour Whyte Constructions, The Split Rock Inca Alliance , Mount Isa/Camooweal – Australian Training Initiative Award

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000