Queensland Training Awards 2021: Full list of Central Queensland winners

The hard work of the state’s outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training projects has been recognised and awarded.

CQUniversity Certificate II in Engineering student Latitia Briggs, who works for BHP Operations Services, is a finalist in the Central Queensland Regional Queensland Training Awards in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category. Picture: Contributed

Fly-in, fly-out work was not sustainable for Jack Page’s young family.

He wanted to find a career that would allow him to be closer to home.

His efforts to retrain have led to him being awarded Central Queensland Apprentice of the Year and he will go onto compete in the state awards in September.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert said she was proud four of the 11 Central Queensland regional winners in the 60th annual Queensland Training Awards were based in Mackay.

“It’s fantastic to see that Mackay organisations and trainees are doing so well,” she said.

“For example, Intuition The Art of Hair was named as the region’s Small Employer of the Year.

“They have been selected for their commitment to training and I congratulate owner Victoria Rushby, who is passionate about ensuring growth opportunities are available to all her staff.

“Equipped with the latest industry skills, knowledge and experience, the team at Intuition The Art of Hair specialise in all aspects of hairdressing.

“Since purchasing the salon in 2017, Victoria has implemented a strong focus on training and education, and she believes this approach is essential to the future development of her employees and business.

“The Central Queensland winner in the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year category, Jack Page, is based at Ergon Energy in Mackay.

“Jack was working in a fly-in-fly-out role that was not sustainable for his young family.

“Jack’s prior experience and an ongoing interest in electronics and technology, made an apprenticeship with Ergon Energy the ideal fit.

“Jack has now completed his Certificate III in Electronics and Communications and is a fully qualified electrician.”

A not-for-profit community-based organisation supporting migrants in Biloela and Rockhampton has been selected as a Central Queensland Community Training Initiative of the Year.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said she was delighted Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc. was a regional winner for its project Community Work Skills.

“The organisation is dedicated to supporting migrant people as they build their lives in a new community,” Ms Lauga said.

“Through their Community Work Skills project, participants undertake a Certificate III in Individual Support and access tailored support so they can achieve their work goals.

“This has been so successful that in 2020 it achieved a 93 per cent success rate for employment outcomes for its 31 trainees in Biloela, and 71 per cent for 31 trainees in Rockhampton.”

Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year category winner was Lachlan Overend, who discovered an interest in material management while working at Woolworths during high school.

“With the successful completion of a Certificate III in Warehouse Operations under his belt, Lachlan is now applying his knowledge and skills at NRG Gladstone Power Station,” Mr Butcher said.

“As a qualified mechanical fitter and turner who did my apprenticeship with the Gladstone Power Station, I know how important it is to get access to quality skills and training.

“It was also fantastic to see Queensland Alumina Limited take out the award for Large Employer of the Year.

“I had a proud 21-year career at QAL and I know that this world-leading facility is committed to the development of its employees — providing them with the training needed to perform their jobs competently, safely and to a high standard.

“These companies and their local workers are an integral part of Gladstone’s history, and will play a key role in its future.”

Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer said it was extremely important the hard work of the state’s outstanding apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training projects was recognised.

“The Queensland Training Awards provide a perfect opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on our top achievers in training and highlight the power of skills,” she said.

“Congratulations to all the regional winners who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to continue to bounce back.”

The regional winners will now vie for the state titles, which will be announced at the state final event in September.

Full list of Central Queensland winners:

• Small Employer of the Year: Intuition The Art of Hair

• Medium Employer of the Year: NFR Holdings Pty Ltd (McDonald’s Mackay East, Northern Beaches and Canelands Central)

• Large Employer of the Year: Queensland Alumina Limited

• Community Training Initiative of the Year: Central Queensland Multicultural Association Inc. for Community Work Skills project

• VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year: Margaret Haynes

• Equity VET Student of the Year: Liticha McMullen

• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Paris Robinson

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Litia Pitt

• Vocational Student of the Year: Harry Atterbury

• Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year: Lachlan Overend

• Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year: Jack Page

To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards, visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta

Queensland Training Awards: Central Queensland School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Paris Robinson. Picture: Contributed

Every Central Queensland finalist in the Queensland Training Awards

EARLIER: Four students who studied at CQUniversity’s Mackay campus are finalists in the Central Queensland Regional Training Awards.

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year finalist Jack Mitchell, from Mackay, studied a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade as a Fitter and Turner, and is employed by Jennmar Australia.

Certificate III in Business student Litia Pitt of Moranbah is nominated in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the year, as is Certificate II in Engineering student, Latitia Briggs.

Litia works for Isaac Regional Council, while Latitia is employed at BHP Operations Services.

Mackay Regional Council employee Liticha McMullen was nominated in the Equity VET Student of the Year category, for her efforts while studying a Certificate IV in Human Resources.

CQUni Deputy Vice-President VET Peter Heilbuth congratulated all the finalists on their achievements.

“We are so proud of our students for being recognised in this way,” Mr Heilbuth said.

“These finalists are proof that signing up for training at CQUniversity TAFE is a valuable investment in your future.

“At CQUniversity TAFE you will receive a quality education from industry experts who are recognised by their peers as being the best at what they do.”

The regional final award ceremonies will again take place online this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Central Queensland regional winners will be announced on Friday July 30.

Last year, CQUniversity trained students Shania Evans and Helena Kidd won their respective categories at the Central Queensland Training Awards.

Helena went on to be named Equity VET Student of the Year at the 2020 State Awards.