Iconic Gold Coast tourist attraction is one of the winners announced tonight at South East Queensland’s 2022 Queensland Training Awards.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer congratulated the 11 regional winners including the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary which took out the region’s Medium Employer of the Year title.
“The Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary will have another reason to celebrate at its 75th birthday gala dinner next month after winning the regional award,” Minister Farmer said.
“The heritage-listed attraction first opened to the public in 1947 as a small-scale lorikeet feeding display known as the Currumbin Bird Sanctuary.
“Owned and operated by National Trust Australia Queensland, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been recognised for its extensive, individualised training programs to suit a workforce spread across multiple industries.
“Training is an essential part of the culture, and all staff are actively encouraged to complete ongoing professional development. Currently the sanctuary has seven school-based trainees and 91 active vocational students.”
Minister Farmer said Queensland’s high quality VET system not only helps build a skilled workforce it enables people to follow their passions and find their dream jobs.
“The region’s Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, Gabrielle Inwood, began her career as an apprentice chef in 2016 with the Star Culinary Institute at The Star on the Gold Coast.
“While she loved her job as a commis chef, her real passion was for pastry.
“Gabrielle grabbed the opportunity to complete a Certificate III in Cake and Pastry with TAFE Queensland and hopes to secure a demi chef position and continue to build her pastry skills.
“The region’s Vocational Student of the Year Courtney Evans changed careers from hospitality to nursing after an accident on a ski trip.
“Courtney’s dedication to the Diploma of Nursing brought her a number of training accolades, as well as employment as an enrolled nurse in January 2022 at Sandbrook McKenzie Aged Care in Burleigh Heads.
“Courtney has now been accepted to complete a Bachelor of Nursing and aims to become a registered nurse.”
Minister Farmer said these training success stories illustrate the importance of high quality training and how it can make a huge difference to people’s lives.
“That’s why in last month’s 2022-23 State Budget we increased our investment in skills and training to more than $1.2 billion to continue delivering high quality training and creating exciting career pathways for Queenslanders,” Minister Farmer said.
“Every dollar we invest in skills and training pays dual dividends by enriching the lives and employment prospects of students and by fuelling the state’s economy with a highly trained workforce.”
Gold Coast-based Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the hard work of her regions outstanding apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers, employers and community organisations deserves this recognition.
“They are making wonderful contributions to South East Queensland communities and transforming lives through the power of skills – they deserve every accolade for their efforts and success,” Minister Scanlon said.
“I’ll be cheering on our local winners when they progress to the State Final on September 17 in Brisbane.”
To view a full list of the South East Queensland winners, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au, and images can be found at South East
