2006 Winners

2006 Australian Training Award Winners

Queensland 's major winners are:

· Tracy Sutton, Kilkivan, Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year
· Roeina Edmund, Cairns , Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
· The Bremer Institute of TAFE, Large Training Provider of the Year

Industry award winners are:

· Cooloola Shire Council - for Government and Community Safety
· John Holland SMP Rockhampton - for Manufacturing

In addition, Luke Norford of Townsville, was awarded runner-up in the Stella Axarlis Australian School Based Apprentice of the Year.

The other Queensland finalists in the Australian Training Awards were:

· Piper Central Child Care Centre, Bundaberg, Prime Minister's Small Business of the Year award
· Stanthorpe State High School , VET in Schools Excellence
· QANTM College , Brisbane , Small Training Provider of the Year
· Emanuela Pagani, Gold Coast, Vocational Student of the Year
· Joshua Stemm, Brisbane, Australian Apprentice of the Year

2006 state winners

Apprentice of the Year
Joshua Stemm

Joshua, 21, has recently completed an apprenticeship in Light Vehicle Automotive Mechanics with Eagers Holden Newstead. Joshua's father and grandfather were also involved in mechanics which influenced his choice to enter the industry. His ultimate career ambition is to run a major automotive firm.

Tracy Sutton

Trainee of the Year
Tracy Sutton

Tracy's interest in community groups - such as the local P & C, swim club and girl guides-gave her a feel for involvement in the community services sector. When the opportunity arose to become involved with the Burnett Inland Economic Development Organisation (BIEDO), it was too good a prospect to miss. During her time at BIEDO Tracy became involved in programs directly aimed at giving communities in rural Queensland services and training normally unavailable to them.

Vocational Student of the Year Award
Emanuela Pagani

Passionate and enthusiastic most aptly describe Emanuela Pagani, the 2006 Student of the Year for the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality. Emanuela undertook a double Diploma in Event and Hospitality Management after working in the event and hospitality industry and realising the great opportunities open to her with proper training.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Roeina Edmund

During her ten month course Roeina learnt everything from basic hardware identification and tool use to piston engine theory. Roeina dreams of one day becoming an astronaut but in the meantime is awaiting a physical exam for the Defence Forces. Roeina has a great passion for military aircraft and has undertaken flying lessons to get her closer to her goal.

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Luke Norford

Luke's interest in practical hands-on-skills in the outdoors led him to a school-based apprenticeship in Civil Construction with BMD Constructions. Luke works in preparing housing development sites, which involves the laying of cables and pipes, ground levelling, roads and kerbing. Luke's goal is to work his way through university and complete a civil engineering degree.

Pam Maclean Small Employer of the Year
Piper Central Childcare Centre

Bundaberg based Piper Central Childcare Centre employs 18 staff members and demonstrates a strong, ongoing commitment to quality training, taking a creative and flexible approach through their mentor program and non-contact study time. Piper acknowledges that their staff are their best asset and continually supports them as they strive for industry best practice in all areas.

Medium Employer of the Year
John Holland SMP Rockhampton

John Holland SMP Rockhampton's operation was established as a project-specific facility with a limited lifetime. However through dedication, training, and staff enthusiasm it is today a well-established business. Since its establishment numerous individuals have been trained across a wide range of skills. In 2002 John Holland SMP Rockhampton decided to become more proactive in youth training and with help from F.I.R.S.T., Cap Training and local high schools, John Holland SMP Rockhampton initiated a number of innovative training programs.

Councillor Mick Venardos Large Employer of the Year
Cooloola Shire Council

Cooloola Shire Council employs 350 staff across a wide range of occupations. Many of their long-term staff have a vast array of skills and experience to recognise and transfer this knowledge. The Council provides ongoing in-house training. With upskilling of existing staff an ongoing priority. The Council recognises the individual skills of their staff and encourages and supports them to reach their full potential through training.

Minister's Training Initiative Award
John Holland SMP Rockhampton - School Based Training Programme

Bryn Giles Small Training Provider of the Year
QANTM College

Since its establishment in 1996, QANTM College has become the leading private provider of creative digital media education and training in Queensland. It pioneers high quality programs for new and emerging industries such as computer games development, animation, new media development, graphic design and digital video production.

Kaylene Harth Large Training Provider of the Year
The Bremer Institute of TAFE

The Bremer Institute of TAFE works to meet the training requirements of the diverse range of people in its region. The Institute developed a link between TAFE and university through a partnership with the University of Southern Queensland . The Institute has also helped refugees, disengaged youth and parenting teenagers build literacy and numeracy skills through its role in the Education and Training Reforms for the Future initiative.

Queensland Public Sector Best Learning and Development Initiative Award
Townsville City Council - Operational Works

The Townsville City Council is one of the most successful local government agencies in North Queensland. The Council values its employees and it has developed a training initiative aimed at a workforce that has never had nationally-recognised qualifications available in their occupational fields. This provides them with the opportunity to move into more advanced roles and gain a better understanding of the nature of their jobs.

Tiga Bayles Queensland Indigenous Peoples' Training Initiative Award
Brisbane Indigenous Media Association - Cape York Pilot Indigenous Media Pathways Project

Triple A Training, a division of the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association, has a strong commitment to improving the training and career options of Indigenous people by delivering culturally-appropriate courses in radio broadcasting to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The association's training combines face-to-face and online elements, to help provide Indigenous communities with a public voice through local radio broadcasting.

Ann Richardson and Heather Thorne Vocational Education and Training in Schools Excellence Award
Stanthorpe State High School

Stanthorpe State High School has linked with a number of key industries, support and training providers in their area to provide students with more opportunities than found in a traditional classroom. The high school's Career and Work Education Program was developed to support the needs of individual students.