Central Qld women win at 2023 Queensland Training Awards

Central Queensland women tradies, apprentices, students and TAFE teachers have won every top gong in the individual categories at the 2023 Qld Training Awards. SEE THE WINNERS.

Central Queensland women tradies, apprentices, students and TAFE teachers have steamrolled the competition taking out the top gongs across every individual category at the 62nd Queensland Training Awards.

Chosen from more than 210 finalists, the regional winners will now progress to the state finals in September ahead of the national titles in November.

Individual award category winners

The Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year went to Moranbah’s Caitlyn Barnes who has been completing an electrical apprenticeship and an Advanced Diploma of Applied Electrical Engineering.

Employed at Goonyella Riverside Mine, she works on electric trucks and draglines and is part of a mentoring program for girls.

The Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year went to Moranbah’s Caitlyn Barnes. Picture: Contributed

The School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year went to Holy Spirit College’s Abby-Rose Bowman.

Miss Bowman is completing a Certificate III in Automotive Electrical technology and has a job lined up with employer NQ Autosparks.

The School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year went to Holy Spirit College’s Abby-Rose Bowman. Picture: Contributed

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year was awarded to Moranbah’s Tennelle Bird who was studying a Certificate IV in Human Resources Management.

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year was awarded to Moranbah’s Tennelle Bird who was studying a Certificate IV in Human Resources Management. Picture: Contributed

Vocational Student of the Year went to Rockhampton region student Stacey Mason who is completing a Diploma of Nursing.

Vocational Student of the Year went to Rockhampton region student Stacey Mason who is completing a Diploma of Nursing. Picture: Contributed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year was given to Moranbah’s Tayah Womal who was studying a Certificate III in Business.

Equity Student of the Year went to Blackwater’s Sharon Atkinson who is studying a Certificate III in Work Health and Safety.

Equity Student of the Year went to Blackwater’s Sharon Atkinson who is studying a Certificate III in Work Health and Safety. Picture: Contributed

And VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year went to Koumala’s Trudy Berry from Sarina State High School.

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year went to Koumala’s Trudy Berry from Sarina State High School. Picture: Contributed

Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer said the awards highlighted “top achievers” and it was a “significant achievement” for women to take out all the individual categories.

“There are many programs in our (Queensland Workforce) Strategy that aim to increase participation of women in the workforce, particularly in traditionally male-dominated trades,” Ms Farmer said.

The 2023 Queensland Training Awards, which were announced at MECC on Saturday, also dished out organisation-level awards.

Organisation award category winners

Community Training Initiative of the Year went to the Emerald Neighbourhood Centre for its Get Set for Work program.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert gave the 40-year-old centre a special mention for its work supporting and strengthening the social wellbeing of Emerald.

“The centre welcomes everyone, builds connections with isolated and vulnerable people, and collaborates with other organisations to meet community needs,” Ms Gilbert said.

Large Employer of the Year went to NFR Holdings which operates five McDonald’s stores across Northern Beaches, East Mackay, North Mackay, Andergrove, and Caneland Central.

Medium Employer of the Year was awarded to RGM Maintenance in Rockhampton.

Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said the employers at RGM were dedicated to training their workforce.

“The company, which has more than 10 years’ experience providing vehicle sales, maintenance and service, integrates training into their business planning with an emphasis on apprenticeships and continuous skill development,” Mr O’Rourke said.

Small Employer of the Year went to Mackay’s McCarthy Panel Works. Picture: Contributed

Small Employer of the Year went to Mackay’s McCarthy Panel Works.

There were more than 800 nominations statewide across all categories, an increase of more than 40 per cent on the year before.

Full list of Central Queensland finalists

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year:

Caitlyn Barnes, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, Moranbah

Gemma Riley, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician/ Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control, Gladstone

Mikaly Smith, Certificate III in Commercial Cookery, Rockhampton

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year:

Tennelle Bird, Certificate IV in Human Resources Management, Moranbah

Eddie Tiller, Certificate in Live Production and Technical Services, Mackay

Savannah Vella, Certificate III in Business, Yalbaroo, Mackay region

Vocational Student of the Year:

Lochie Fuller, Certificate II in Autonomous Technologies, Moranbah

Stacey Mason, Diploma of Nursing, Gracemere, Rockhampton region

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year:

Quentin Robertson, Certificate III in Civil Construction, Rockhampton

Tayah Womal, Certificate III in Business, Moranbah

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year:

Abby-Rose Bowman, Holy Spirit College Mackay and NQ Sparks, Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, Mt Ossa, Mackay region

Copelan Smith, Marist College Emerald and Maraboon Veterinary Surgery, Certificate II in Animal Studies, Emerald

Charlotte Sneyd, Moranbah State High School and DentalCareXtra, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, Moranbah

Equity Student of the Year:

Sharon Atkinson, Certificate III in Work Health and Safety, Blackwater

Gracie Lynn Blanchfield, Certificate II in Engineering Pathways, Mackay

Jayden Chen, Certificate III in Business, Emerald

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year:

Trudy Berry, Sarina State High School, Koumala, Mackay region

Rachel Legos: CQUniversity, Yeppoon, Capricorn Coast

Earl Neilsen, Axiom College, Pinnacle, Mackay region

Community Training Initiative of the Year:

Apprentices and Trainees Queensland: Ignite Your Opportunities, Gladstone and Rockhampton

Emerald Neighbourhood Centre: Get Set for Work program, Emerald

CANEGROWERS Mackay: Hailout course, Mackay

Large Employer of the Year:

NFR Holdings operating five McDonald’s stores, Northern Beaches, East Mackay, North Mackay, Andergrove and Food Court Canelands

Queensland Alumina Limited, Gladstone

Medium Employer of the Year:

Barcam Electrical Services, Mackay

RGM Maintenance Rockhampton

Small Employer of the Year:

Biloela Mechanical and Agricultural Services, Biloela

Intuition The Art of Hair, Mackay

McCarthy Panel Works, Mackay

Originally published as Central Qld women win at 2023 Queensland Training Awards