North Queensland region's training leaders announced

The North Queensland region’s top employers, apprentices, trainees and vocational students have been selected as regional finalists in the Queensland Training Awards.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford congratulated the 16 regional finalists on being chosen from 56 local nominations across seven categories.

“Vocational skills are more important than ever in Queensland, and these awards show how strong they are at a local level,” Mr Welford said.

“In workplaces, schools, colleges and training institutions, Queenslanders are keeping our skills and knowledge at the cutting edge, across a host of industries that are integral to our daily lives.

“With demand for skilled workers at an all-time high, and more Queenslanders taking up apprenticeships and traineeships than any other area of Australia, our state boasts world-class vocational education and training initiatives — and these awards showcase the best of these achievements.”

Mr Welford said this regional final, one of six across the state, would be held on Saturday 2 August 2008 at Cairns International Hotel.

Winners will then progress to the State Final on Thursday 11 September 2008 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, where recipients in a further four categories will also be presented.

State winners will have the chance to enter the Australian Training Awards held in Darwin on Thursday 20 November 2008.

The Queensland Training Awards, which are now in their 47^th year, are run by the State Government’s Department of Education, Training and the Arts.

A full list of the region’s finalists follows.

For more information on the Queensland Training Awards, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000

2008 QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS

NORTH QUEENSLAND REGIONAL FINALISTS

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE

• Jason Manning, Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Boilermaking), Cairns Region Group Training, from Cairns
• Dearnna Murat, Certificate III in Hairdressing, The Hairport, from Mareeba
• Michael Obah, Certificate III in Plumbing, Johnstone Shire Council, from South Johnstone

Trainee of the Year, sponsored by Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE

• Melissa Blackman, Certificate IV in Business (Marketing), Cairns Rainforest Dome, from Yorkeys Knob
• Laura Johannesen, Certificate III in Business, Centrelink, from Vincent
• Kellie Wenham, Certificate III in Business Administration, Thuringowa City Council, from Kirwan

Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Apprenticeship Services

• Bernard Pope, Diploma of Nursing, Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, from Maryborough

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, sponsored by Australian Technical College, North Queensland

• Annalina Kepper, Certificate II in Business, Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited, from Weipa
• Kah-Wai Lo, Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery), Cairns Region Group Training, from Port Douglas
• Rebecca Sheahan, Certificate II in Agriculture (Beef Production), RITE, from Woodstock

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, sponsored by Mount Isa Institute of TAFE

• Michael Obah, Certificate III in Plumbing, Johnstone Shire Council, from South Johnstone
• Bernard Pope, Diploma of Nursing, Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, from Maryborough
• David Yasserie, Certificate II in information Technology, Integrated Group Limited, from Annandale

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Cairns Region Group Training

• CAPTA Group of Companies from Cairns
• COOLTECQ from Cairns
• Pacific Coast Engineering from Bohle