Brisbane 14 June 2013. Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek has announced that 161 finalists will contend for top honours in the Queensland regional finals of the 52nd Queensland Training Awards.

Mr Langbroek said the Newman Government’s leading training awards honoured high achievers in vocational education and training.

“Finalists were selected from more than 600 entries across a range of industries,” he said.

“Categories include School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year, Small Employer of the Year and Employer of the Year.

“These awards recognise the people who are working to make Queensland a great state with great opportunity.

“Shaping a strong training system is a key part of the Newman Government’s commitment to increase productivity, grow our economy and reduce unemployment.

“That’s why we’ve enacted a five year plan, called Great skills. Real opportunities., that will give Queenslanders greater choice and access to training.

“It’s important to celebrate the achievements of those who strive to better themselves or others through training and I wish all of the finalists in the Queensland Training Awards the very best in the competition.”

Mr Langbroek said finalists will vie for awards in seven regional finals being held across the state:

• North Queensland Regional Presentation Ceremony, Jupiter's Casino, Townsville, 27 July
• Darling Downs South West Regional Presentation Ceremony, Cathedral Centre, Toowoomba, 3 August
• South East Regional Presentation Ceremony, Gold Coast Turf Club, 26 July
• Metropolitan Regional Presentation Ceremony, Moda Events-Portside, Hamilton, 2 August
• Far North Queensland Regional Presentation Ceremony, Hilton Hotel, Cairns, 3 August
• Central Queensland Regional Presentation Ceremony, Rockhampton Jockey Club, 27 July
• North Coast Regional Presentation Ceremony, Sunshine Coast Function Centre (Caloundra RSL), 3 August

Individual winners from the region and state finalists in the employer, training provider and industry collaboration categories will vie for state awards to be announced in Brisbane on Friday 13 September.

From there, the state’s best will compete at the Australian Training Awards on 22 November in Perth.

The Queensland Training Awards are presented by the Department of Education, Training and Employment.

A list of finalists by region follows. Further details of finalists are available at www.qta.qld.gov.au

2013 QUEENSLAND TRAINING AWARDS

North Queensland region finalists:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Fletcher Cox
Shaun Francis
Kazzandra Muir

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Kasey Page
Kiana Piggot
Morgan-Leigh Sandilands

Vocational Student of the Year
Karen Barty
Bianca Dixon
Asha Kiran

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Kurt Hennig
Orrick Sturt
Ethan Walden

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Cora Lynch
Morgan-Leigh Sandilands
Orrick Sturt

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Maree Butler
Liz Hennig
Malcolm McCulloch

Employer of the Year
Sucrogen Australia Pty Ltd
Horan and Bird
SPD Group Pty Ltd

Small Employer of the Year
Douglas & Miller Motor Body Repairs
The Styling Stable
North Queensland Insurance Brokers

Darling Downs South West region finalists:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Caleb Chiverton
Andrew Clifford
Keely Lister

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Emily Lynam
Adrian Story
Rhys Walsh-Tindall

Vocational Student of the Year
Stephen Russell Adams
Owen Bilsborough
Frances Hayden

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Chris Bevin
Jessica Harvey
Bethany Mitchell

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Kevin (Chris) Bevin
Chantal Harth
Jesse Johnston

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Troy Baxter
Fiona Flanders
Murray Shelton

Employer of the Year
Southern Cross Automotive Group
Hastings Deering (Aust) Ltd- Toowoomba
Ostwald Bros

Small Employer of the Year
Downs MicroSystems Pty Ltd
Anne’s Angels
Toowoomba Golf Club

South East Queensland region finalists:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Laura Hope
Kylie Murray
Kyle Patence

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Josh Davis
Elissa Hogan
Natale Pascuzzi

Vocational Student of the Year
Melissa Davies
Cherie Newell
Elena Ornig

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Oliver Botha
Tiarne Davis
Ryan Grant

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Loren Morrow
Kylie Murray
Breeanna Suey

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Eva McCormick
Loryn McMeekin
Annette Winch

Employer of the Year
Darwalla Group
Dreamworld
McConnell Dowell Gold Coast Light Rail Project

Small Employer of the Year
Pacific Hoseflex Pty Ltd
Dayshelf Fire Systems

Metropolitan region finalists:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Blake Connell
Bonnie Moran
Nicole Simkin

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Jeri-Lee Ludwig
Amiee Murdoch 
Sharnie Sue Yek

Vocational Student of the Year
Sarah Blake
Indya Gardner
Matthew Makot

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Jack O’Keeffe
Rachel Stewart
Joshua Whitehead

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Ben Gall
Mark James

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Patrick Dennis
Ingrid Green
Ian Taylor

Employer of the Year
Abigroup Contractors
Santos
McDonald’s Australia – QLD

Small Employer of the Year
AUSTREX Pty Ltd
Mendham Engineering
Applied & Decorative Painting

Far North Queensland region finalists

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Ryan De Vecchi
David Hill
Nathan Ruth

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Yuriko Ah Boo
Sarah Henderson
Aron Smith

Vocational Student of the Year
Naina Gurung
Branton Keyes
Simeon Makie

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Daniel Gangemi
Edward Sayward
Jason Strano

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Jacqueline Halliday
Simeon Makie
Jamie Naylor

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Cate Ashmore
Todd Darragh
Sandie McCoy

Employer of the Year
Hastings Deering (Australia) Ltd – Cairns Branch
BMD/ALBEM Joint Venture
Northern Iron and Brass Foundry Pty Ltd

Small Employer of the Year
D’Urso Air Pty Ltd
CBC Staff Selection
REDCORP PTY LTD

Central Queensland region finalists:

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Adam Bugeja
Gavin Byrne
Sarah Lacey

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Laura Green
Maddison Kirkpatrick
Kirsty Rodgers

Vocational Student of the Year
Janae Carige
Dean Shepherd
Amy Woodhouse

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Robert Johnson
Dakkota McConnell
Rachel McKenzie

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Kiara Rippon

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Tanya Blake
Penelope Skerman
Wendy Thomas

Employer of the Year
Mackay Sugar Limited
Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd
Rio Tinto Alcan – Yarwun Site

North Coast region finalists

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
Ross Maidens
David Moore
Rohan Skennerton

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
Alec Milligan
Katelyn Murray
Elizabeth Oong

Vocational Student of the Year
Sidney Doyle
Katherine Lobban
Kate Wilkes

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Dane Brockway
Samuel Friend
Payton Jennings

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Sidney Doyle
Kristal Muggleton
Jodie Walsh

VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Paula Ingles
Amanda Paton
Janine Tobin

Employer of the Year
Oaks Hotel and Resorts Ltd
Superior Pak Bundaberg
Atlas Heavy Engineering Pty Ltd

Small Employer of the Year
James Nash State High School
Bay Fusion Food Design
Summer Jade Hair Salon