North Coast celebrates best of training

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

A former Australian rock band member and an ex-professional rugby league player are among 77 regional winners named in an online ceremony for this year’s Queensland Training Awards.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said while this year’s event was unlike past celebrations, it continued to recognise the highest achieving individuals, organisations and projects in Queensland’s training system.

“These awards shine a spotlight on our top achievers in training from across the state and it’s fantastic to announce the regional winners in the Queensland Training Awards,” Ms Fentiman said.

“I congratulate our winners and finalists from more than 700 nominations across a broad range of skills and industries from seven Queensland regions.

“And all of them play an important role in ensuring we have the skilled workforce needed for the jobs now and into the future.

“It’s been a tough year for everyone but the Palaszczuk Government is committed to backing every Queenslander through quality training opportunities.

“As we Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs, we know that training and skilling will be critical.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said there were 33 finalists for the North Coast region with 11 winners announced today that will go on to the state awards this month.

“In the North Coast region Trainee of the Year winner Breanna Cassidy commenced and business traineeship and it’s great to hear she is continuing her learning journey and is now undertaking an apprenticeship in Graphic Prepress,” he said.

“We also have Apprentice of the Year winner Braden Hellmuth who was drawn back to his love of agriculture after completing science studies at university, he then made the decision to undertake a diesel mechanic apprenticeship and he is now Engineering and IT Manager.”

“We have some amazing winners from our small, medium and large employer award categories that work in a range of industries — from hairdressers, mechanics and a saddlery through to hotels, aged care homes, mental health service providers, mining operators and local councils.

“Congratulations to each and every one of you.”

The Minister said the 77 regional winners are now finalists for the state award in their category, which will be announced next week on 18 September.

“Joining these winners are nine finalists for the Small Training Provider of the Year, Large Training Provider of the Year and Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award categories,” the Minister said.

“The field for this year’s Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award is very unique.

“There’s a program teaching Central Queensland high school students to be drone pilots, TAFE Queensland and Rheinmetall Defence Australia training high level welding skills, and a group of local councils training their water industry workers together.

“Picking the state winners from these 86 wonderful finalists must have been a challenge for the judges but it is excellent that we can acknowledge the hard work and commitment each has shown to make it this far.

“Celebrating our highest achievers is especially important as we all work to get our economy growing again while preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

North Coast region winners:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year:

Braden Hellmuth

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year:

Breanna Cassidy

Vocational Student of the Year:

Morgan Engstrom

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year:

Taylah Leeson

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year:

Delaney Simpson

Equity VET Student of the Year:

Delaney Simpson

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year:

Michelle Clements

Community Training Initiative of the Year:

IFYS Ltd

Large Employer of the Year:

Fraser Coast Regional Council

Medium Employer of the Year:

Kirami Residential Aged Care Home

Small Employer of the Year:

Hair Review Qld Pty Ltd

For the full list of Queensland Training Award regional winners and state finalists visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/winners-and-finalists

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