Published Saturday, 19 July, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast's top training achievers recognised
The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast’s best employers, apprentices, trainees, vocational students and training providers were tonight named as winners in the Queensland Training Awards’ regional finals.
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the event, one of six regional finals being held across the state, showcased the strength of local industries and the people working in them.
“Gaining vocational skills has never been more important, and Queenslanders have more opportunities than ever before to access world-class training in a range of exciting and rewarding industries,” Mr Welford said.
“Having skilled workers across a host of professions and industries is vital to our state’s ongoing success, and these awards show the great work that is guaranteeing our future through outstanding achievements in workplaces, schools, colleges and training institutions.
“In a time of skill shortages more Queenslanders are taking up apprenticeships and traineeships than any other state in Australia, so these awards showcase the cream of the crop.”
The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast winners will progress to the state finals at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 11 September 2008, when recipients in a further four categories will also be presented. State winners can enter the Australian Training Awards in Darwin in November.
The Queensland Training Awards, now in their 47th year, are run by the Queensland Government’s Department of Education, Training and the Arts. For more information on the Queensland Training Awards, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.
The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regional winners are:
• Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Mission Australia — Rachel Niemann, Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making), Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Limited, from Murgon;
• Trainee of the Year, sponsored by BUSY AT WORK Apprenticeships Services — 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;
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, sponsored by MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre — Brandy Hall, Certificate III in Business Administration, Acclaim Apprentices and Trainees, from Aroona;
• 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;
• Small Employer of the Year, sponsored by Biga Wide Bay Ltd — Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing at Pomona; and
• Employer of the Year, sponsored by Wide Bay Group Training — Hervey Bay RSL and Services Memorial Club Inc at Pialba.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said the event, one of six regional finals being held across the state, showcased the strength of local industries and the people working in them.
“Gaining vocational skills has never been more important, and Queenslanders have more opportunities than ever before to access world-class training in a range of exciting and rewarding industries,” Mr Welford said.
“Having skilled workers across a host of professions and industries is vital to our state’s ongoing success, and these awards show the great work that is guaranteeing our future through outstanding achievements in workplaces, schools, colleges and training institutions.
“In a time of skill shortages more Queenslanders are taking up apprenticeships and traineeships than any other state in Australia, so these awards showcase the cream of the crop.”
The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast winners will progress to the state finals at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Thursday 11 September 2008, when recipients in a further four categories will also be presented. State winners can enter the Australian Training Awards in Darwin in November.
The Queensland Training Awards, now in their 47th year, are run by the Queensland Government’s Department of Education, Training and the Arts. For more information on the Queensland Training Awards, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.
The Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regional winners are:
• Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Mission Australia — Rachel Niemann, Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making), Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Limited, from Murgon;
• Trainee of the Year, sponsored by BUSY AT WORK Apprenticeships Services — 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;
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, sponsored by MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre — Brandy Hall, Certificate III in Business Administration, Acclaim Apprentices and Trainees, from Aroona;
• 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;
• Small Employer of the Year, sponsored by Biga Wide Bay Ltd — Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing at Pomona; and
• Employer of the Year, sponsored by Wide Bay Group Training — Hervey Bay RSL and Services Memorial Club Inc at Pialba.
Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000