South-West Queensland region's training leaders announced

The South-West 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 21 regional finalists on being chosen from 91 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 Friday 25 July 2008 at Chinchilla Cultural Centre.

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

SOUTH-WEST QUEENSLAND REGIONAL FINALISTS

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Payton Kitchens

• Benjamin Boikowski, Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Moulding), Golden West Employment Solutions, from Toowoomba
• Lauren Grubic, Certificate III in Printing and Graphic Arts (Graphic Pre-press), Stanthorpe Print ‘n Copy, from Oxley
• Peter O’Dea, Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Boilermaking), Golden West Employment Solutions, from Chinchilla

Trainee of the Year, sponsored by Busy at Work

• Matthew Graham, Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipelaying), Macdow Abi Joint Venture, from Bundamba
• Carrol Hall, Certificate III in Aged Care Work, Downs Group Training, from Bundaberg
• Khadija Mogg, Certificate III in Business Administration, Kath Dickson Institute of Early Childhood Studies, from Toowoomba

Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Big W

• Stacey Buchanan, Certificate III in Hairdressing, The Bremer Institute of TAFE, from Ripley
• Emma Elkington, Certificate IV in Hospitality (Supervision), Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE, from Toowoomba
• Melanie Llewellyn, Certificate III in Children’s Services, The Bremer Institute of TAFE, from Brassall

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre

• Rohan Greer, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Systems Electrician, Downs Group Training, from Cambooya
• Milcah McKinnon, Certificate III in Fitness, City Fitness, from East Greenmount
• Laura Saville, Certificate II in Business, Golden West Employment Solutions, from Toowoomba

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, sponsored by Golden West Employment Solutions

• Matthew Graham, Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipelaying), Macdow Abi Joint Venture, from Bundamba
• Sharron Jackson, Certificate IV in Business (Administration), Department of Natural Resources and Water, from Kingsthorpe
• Tina Jarrett, Certificate III in Business, Goondiwindi Training and Technology, from Goondiwindi

Small Employer of the Year, sponsored by the Apprenticeship Company and Apprenticeships Queensland

• Dawson’s Technical Services Pty Ltd from Amberley
• Ideal Driving School from Middle Ridge
• SES Industrial Contractors from Toowoomba

Employer of the Year, sponsored by the Apprenticeship Company and Apprenticeships Queensland

• Condamine Electric Company Pty Ltd from Dalby
• Queensland Truck Centre from Toowoomba
• Sharpe Engineering from Roma