Wide Bay-Sunshine Coast region's training leaders announced

The Wide Bay-Sunshine Coast 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 19 regional finalists on being chosen from 79 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 19 July 2008 at Bundaberg Civic Centre.

Winners will then progress to the State Final on 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

WIDE BAY-SUNSHINE COAST REGIONAL FINALISTS

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Mission Australia

• Dylan Allen, Certificate III in Carpentry, Biga Wide Bay Ltd, from Bundaberg
• Rachel Niemann, Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making), Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Limited, from Murgon
• Stevi Williams, Certificate III in Hairdressing, Surrender Dorothy, from Gympie

Trainee of the Year, sponsored by Busy at Work

• Brittany Duncan, Certificate III in Business Administration, Microair Avionics, from Bundaberg
• Rhiannon Orion, Certificate II in Local Government (Operational Works), Biga Wide Bay Ltd, from Bundaberg
• Tyson Rimmington, Certificate II in Sport and Recreation, Rimmington Martial Arts and Fitness, from Gympie

Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Alumina Limited

• Barbara Burstall, Diploma of Business Management, Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, from Bundaberg
• Donna Cooper, Certificate III in Aged Care, Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, from Toowoomba
• Dale Drever, Diploma of Hospitality Management, Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, from Urraween

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

• Alannah Badger, Certificate III in Racing (Trackrider), Barry Charles Gill, from North Deep Creek
• Brandy Hall, Certificate III in Business Administration, Acclaim Apprentices and Trainees, from Aroona
• Mia Warren, Certificate III in Aged Care Work, Acclaim Apprentices and Trainees, from Glasshouse Mountains

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, sponsored by Acclaim Apprentices and Trainees

• Peter Cruz, Certificate III in Information Technologies, Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, from Maryborough
• Helen Dingle, Certificate IV in Community Services, Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, from Roma
• Christine Heisner, Certificate IV in Community Services (Protective Care), Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE, from Gladstone

Small Employer of the Year, sponsored by Biga Wide Bay Ltd

• Jaynar Constructions from Aroona
• Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing from Pomona

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Wide Bay Group Training

• CPM Engineering Queensland from Gympie
• Hervey Bay RSL and Services Memorial Club Inc. from Pialba