BLACKWATER ENGINEER EYES NATIONAL TITLE

Blackwater engineer Stephen Downs will tonight (Thurs 13 Nov) compete against the best of Australia's young apprentices in the prestigious Australian Training Awards.

The awards, to be presented by Prime Minister John Howard in Melbourne, are the culmination of a year of competition which saw Stephen named Queensland's best apprentice.

Tonight's winner of the Australian Training Awards Apprentice of the Year title will receive a trophy and study tour package including two airfares to an Ansett Australia Asian destination and $5000.

Stephen's dream of learning new skills overseas and applying them to Australia's mining industry already is a reality.

In Brisbane in September, the 22-year-old employee of Curragh Queensland Mining won the Queensland Training Awards Seven Nightly News Apprentice of the Year Award.

Receiving a trophy and certificate, business class return travel to London with Royal Brunei Airlines and $2000, Stephen will soon seek work in England, India or South Africa.

"It's been my ambition to work overseas in the mining industry, to learn new skills and techniques," he said

"I then plan to return to Australia to apply this expertise and climb to the highest position within the electrical department in an Australian mine."

Training and Industrial Relations Minister Santo Santoro said Stephen epitomised the training culture.

"Stephen has laid great foundations for his future," said Mr Santoro.

As well as completing his TAFE apprenticeship training, Stephen voluntarily completed a further 10 TAFE courses and has been studying for a Bachelor of Technology degree in electrical and electronic engineering.

"He already knows that success will come only by constantly challenging his knowledge and expertise," said Mr Santoro.

"Likewise, employers in Queensland are finding that the key to their productivity, growth and profit comes from a highly-skilled, flexible workforce."

Other Queensland Training Awards winners who will contest the National titles are:

Clea Brown, Toowoomba Chevron Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

Sandra Duane, Brisbane State Training Council Trainee of the Year

Anna Robertson, Calliope Queensland Alumina Vocational Student of the Year

Southbank Institute of TAFE, VETEC Training Provider of the Year Brisbane

The 1997 Australian Training Awards will be presented from 7.30pm at the Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne.