State winners

Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing
Pomona
07 5485 0084
www.surrenderdorothy.com.au

Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing opened in 2005 in the small Sunshine Coast village of Pomona. Although it is located in a small laneway with no shop frontage in the industrial side of town, it employs nine staff and teaches up to 150 hairdressers through its education academy. The team has won 16 hairdressing awards and four major business accolades for its efforts.

Stowe Australia
Eight Mile Plains
07 3423 6777
www.stoweaustralia.com.au

Stowe Australia is the nation's largest privately owned electrical and communications contractor, which delivers specialist services for a range of private and public markets including defence, mining and urban infrastructure. The company has been providing long-term career pathways for its staff since George Stowe employed his first apprentice in 1914. Today, Stowe Australia employs more than 400 full-time staff in Queensland, including 110 apprentices and hopes its continued investment in human resources will ensure ongoing success.

First Impressions Resources
Brisbane
1800 644 332
www.fir.edu.au

First Impressions Resources is celebrating 20 years of delivering vocational education and training, with the Brisbane-based organisation now employing 30 trainers in four states. Specialising in workplace-based training in some of Australia’s most famous retail companies and small businesses, the company currently has more than 2000 trainees across Australia - more than half of them in Queensland. It aims to continually improve its services and operations through the input of learners and industry clients, and through the professional development of staff.

Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
Mount Gravatt
1300 657 613
www.msit.tafe.qld.gov.au

The Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE has strengthened its services and reputation since the amalgamation of all non-trade sections of the former Yeronga, Logan and Moreton institutes less than two years ago. Offering more than 400 courses across 10 campuses, the organisation works hard to ensure the format and scheduling of its training programs suit both clients and students. Boasting close to 46 000 pupils annually and around 900 employees, Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE is focused on becoming a statutory authority in the coming years.

My Other Mum Childcare
Working with Schools Initiative
Woree
07 4054 5511
www.myothermum.qld.edu.au

My Other Mum Childcare, a private registered training organisation, works with schools and the early childhood industry to give young people qualifications to help overcome skills shortages. The unique partnership has become so popular that it has grown from seven schools in 2004 to more than 60 high schools this year, training more than 1500 students throughout Queensland, from Thursday Island to Emerald and the Gold Coast. Many graduates are being offered childcare jobs before they have finished school.

Glendyne Education and Training Centre
Glendyne Employment Initiative
Ninkenbah
07 4128 6199
www.glendyne.qld.edu.au

With 26 staff and a team of more than 25 volunteers and mentors, the Glendyne Education and Training Centre is run by Queensland Baptist Care to offer alternative learning opportunities for disengaged young people from the Wide Bay area. Based on a 140-acre farm away from the distraction of suburban life, the facility’s successful outcomes were reflected in its recognition as a registered training organisation last year. Its on-site engineering production workshop links with local industries, giving school-based trainees and vocational students valuable trade experience in building aluminium boats and trailers.

Bernard Pope

Training provider: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Diploma of Nursing

Bernard considers himself lucky to have made the leap from fruit picker to enrolled nurse in just four years - but he credits hard work and seizing the chance to study for his remarkable career transition. As well as gaining clinical skills, Bernard has built confidence in other areas — using computers for the first time and becoming a workplace health and safety officer. His next goals are to become a registered nurse by completing university training and act as a role model for younger generations of Indigenous people.

Rohan Greer

Training provider: Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Certificate III in Electro-technology Systems Electrician
School: Harristown State High School
Employer: Downs Group Training

Rohan is currently employed as a school-based electrician by Shorcan Electrical through The Apprenticeship Company (a division of Downs Group Training). An electrical apprenticeship has always been of interest to Rohan from a very young age, especially the electronics side of appliance fault diagnosis and repair.

Jeni Wycha

Training provider: Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Certificate III and IV in Information Technology (Networking)

When Jeni commenced her training she had no prior computer experience and didn't even know where the computer's 'on' button was. However, with determination and hard work she gained more confidence and can now rebuild computers. Jeni has developed her skills while caring for her daughter and visually impaired mother. She plans to start her own business in web design and training.

Matthew Graham

Training provider: Civil Train
Qualification: Certificate III in Civil Construction (Pipelaying)
Employer: Southern Regional Water Pipeline Alliance

Matthew completed his traineeship with Macdow Abi Joint Venture (a division of Southern Regional Water Pipeline Alliance) in only eight months. He has a particular interest in workplace health and safety and is a member of the safety management committee. He plans to complete a diploma in health and safety and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Matthew is an inspiration to other workers, particularly those from an Indigenous background.

Rachel Niemann

Training provider: Skills Tech Queensland
Qualification: Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)
Employer: Wide Bay Group Training Scheme Limited

While Rachel was a stay-at-home mother looking after her two young sons, she renovated her home and built a new kitchen using plywood and basic hand tools. Since then she has become a qualified cabinetmaker and is employed at Hatchetts Joinery in Murgon. Rachel has won local apprenticeship awards and is now studying a Certificate IV in Small Business Management to further boost her skills.