Awards for Brisbane region's top training leaders

Brisbane’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 really showcase the cream of the crop.”

The Brisbane 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 47^th 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 Brisbane regional winners are:

• Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Marc Ratcliffe Workplace Education and Development — Timothy Dillon, Certificate III in Food Processing (Retail-Baking Combined), Creative Crusts Pty Ltd, from Deagon;
• Trainee of the Year, sponsored by BUSY AT WORK Apprenticeships Services — Nicole Harb, Certificate III in Community Services Work, Career Employment Australia, from Hawthorne;
• Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Alumina Limited — Jeni Wycha, Certificate III and IV in Information Technology (Networking), Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE, from Greenbank;
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, sponsored by MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre — Jami-Lee Upkett, Certificate II in Business, Brisbane City Council, from Sunnybank Hills;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, sponsored by QBuild — Jami-Lee Upkett, Certificate II in Business, Brisbane City Council, from Sunnybank Hills; and
• Employer of the Year, sponsored by Churches of Christ Care — Stowe Australia at Eight Mile Plains.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000