2011 winners

Congratulations to our 2011 Queensland Training Awards winners.

Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Constructions Skills Queensland

Jessica Meek

Training provider: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Certificate III in Electrotechnology – Systems Electrician
Employer: CONNEQ.I.POWER Solutions

Jessica began her career as an electrician after winning a Girls with Spark scholarship, and is thriving in the traditionally male-dominated trade. In her studies, she scored the highest result in her field in the past five years at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE. At work, Jessica has found her niche performing quality assurance and control duties on electrical work carried out on Australian Defence Force naval vessels. She has taken on the role of occupational health and safety workplace representative. The athletics champion is now completing a Certificate IV in OHS Management and has further training in her sights. Jessica enjoys raising funds for charity in her spare time.

Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year, sponsored by BUSY At Work

Toniele Brennan

Training provider: Scripture Union Queensland
Qualification: Certificate IV in Youth Work
Employer: The Salvation Army (Queensland)

Toniele was working as a legal secretary in 2009 when she felt a calling to help at-risk youth in her childhood suburb of Forest Lake. She was involved in the successful application for state government funding to establish the Salvation Army Lake Youth Service at the beginning of 2010. Toniele believes her training has helped her self-management skills and given her the tools she needs to help at-risk young people. Toniele is a youth worker at Lake Youth Service in Forest Lake and is studying for a Bachelor of Social Work at The University of Queensland. She aims to complete a Masters in Mental Health and continue her work with children at risk.

Vocational Student of the Year, sponsored by Queensland Alumina Limited

Nigel Vogler

Training provider: Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE
Qualification: Certificate IV in Applied Fashion Design and Technology

Nigel’s long-held passion for fashion propelled him into national headlines when a dress he reconstructed from an $18 vintage frock took out the 2010 Melbourne Cup Oaks Day Fashions on the Field. He credits his TAFE training with opening the doors for him and providing the skills. After completing his Certificate IV, the young award-winning designer was accepted into the Canberra Institute of Technology’s prestigious Bachelor of Fashion Design. However, he has returned to TAFE studies as he prefers the smaller classes, hands-on training and ready access to trainers. Nigel is aiming to create a high-end label and open his own boutique.

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, sponsored by Hutchinson Builders

Jenna-Maree Jacob

Training provider: Triple A Training
Qualification: Certificate III in Media
School: Cairns State High School
Employer: Bumma Bippera Media

Jenna has been interested in a media career for as long as she can remember, and jumped at the chance to take on a traineeship at Bumma Bippera’s radio station in Cairns. In addition to her training and school work, Jenna completed work experience with the ABC and mentored her peers. Jenna is the Indigenous senior leader at her school, and is a representative in this year’s YMCA Queensland Youth Parliament. She continues to work at the radio station, and is now undertaking a Certificate IV in Screen and Media while completing her school studies. Jenna intends to enrol in tertiary education with a view to becoming a television journalist.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan

Steven Anderson

Training provider: Queensland Police Service
Qualification: Certificate III in Public Safety – Police Liaison
Employer: Queensland Police Service

Steven had previously worked as a sport and recreation officer and a carpenter, but decided he wanted to do more with his life. He took on a traineeship as an Indigenous Police Liaison Officer in 2007, and completed his Certificate III in October last year. The married father of four daughters wants to be a positive Indigenous role model in Cunnamulla, and involves himself in many community activities. He hopes to become a senior police liaison officer and eventually a civilian watch house officer to assist Indigenous people and others in custody.

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, sponsored by Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE

Myra Sessions
Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE

Responsible for leading the Diploma of Nursing program at Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE, Myra has taken the teaching of nursing to the next level. She was instrumental in setting up co-delivery arrangements with the James Cook University (JCU) nursing team for Indigenous nursing students on Thursday Island, and was consulted with mapping competencies with JCU’s bachelor program. Myra has developed a recognition of prior learning package for nursing, which was a first for TAFE Queensland. She is known as the pioneer in the introduction of video streaming — a world first for enrolled nursing. In addition to her teaching role, Myra works one day a week at the Mareeba District Hospital providing diabetes education and quality improvement initiatives. While Myra has been delivering this exceptionally high level of training, she has been battling multiple sclerosis, which colleagues say has not slowed her efforts.

Small Employer of the Year, sponsored by Enterprise Workforce Solutions

RnR Hairdesigners
Hervey Bay
(07) 4194 9870
www.rnrhairdesigners.com.au

Jody-Renee Ridgeway and Corey Roberts opened RnR Hairdesigners at Peppers Pier Resort four years ago, and now have a workforce of six. Training has been an important part of the business from the beginning. About 10 per cent of turnover is committed to training, which is subject to continuous review and evaluation, both internally and through regular communication with TAFE trainers. Training is offered in work time when possible, with costs covered by the salon. Jody-Renee and Corey are proud to have guided employees through to successful completion of their apprenticeships, and many have won awards along the way. RnR Hairdesigners won the 2009 Queensland Training Awards regional small employer award.

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Courier-Mail Career One

Hutchinson Builders
Toowong
(07) 3335 5000
www.hutchinsonbuilders.com.au

Established in 1912, Hutchinson Builders is Queensland’s largest privately owned construction company. It employs more than 1000 people, including more than 160 apprentices. It is committed to developing skills in-house and spends about $3.7 million annually on education and training. Hutchinson’s holistic Workforce Development Program encompasses school-based training, apprenticeship development, future leaders and personal development programs and cadetships. In partnership with the state government, Hutchinson is deeply involved in the innovative Building and Construction Gateway School on the Gold Coast.

Small Training Provider of the Year, by Australian Council for Private Education and Training

Baking Industry Training Australia
Brisbane
(07) 3839 6871
www.bita.org.au

Baking Industry Training Australia (BITA) was established by the National Baking Industry Association in 2005 as a not-for-profit, registered training organisation. It works closely with industry, government agencies and other stakeholders to provide a career path in the baking industry using a flexible delivery model. It has 300 apprentices undertaking training, representing more than half of the registered baking apprentices in Queensland. BITA’s small team of dedicated trainers are in regular contact with trainees, often working the socially unfriendly hours required by the baking industry. BITA participate in Australian Apprenticeships Access programs to provide disadvantaged job seekers with pre-vocational training.

Large Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by Energex

Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
Mooloolaba
(07) 5457 1000
www.sunshinecoast.tafe.qld.gov.au

The Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE (SCIT) delivers more than 340 qualifications to more than 17,000 students each year. Across its four contemporary campuses it aims to deliver industry-related training programs and employable graduates. SCIT has developed flexible partnerships with community organisations, industry and business to ensure timely identification of local and regional issues. Such partnerships have led to the establishment of innovative programs including the new Bachelor of Music (Creative Music Technology) degree, ongoing work with the Endeavour Business College and HI Futures, in which SCIT delivers all training programs to the 1,200 staff on Hamilton Island.

Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award, sponsored by Outsource Services Pty Ltd

Mount Isa Mines Ltd
The Mount Isa Collaboration
(07) 4744 2011
www.mountisamines.com.au

Xstrata Mount Isa Mines (XMIM) has partnered with Mount Isa Institute of TAFE, MTA Institute of Technology, Spinifex State College and Krause Health and Safety to provide training in this remote region. The partnerships give XMIM and the Mount Isa community access to greater numbers of students with skill sets and qualifications that allow them entry to mining, trades and associated industries. In the past three years, the apprenticeship success rate has averaged 77%, resulting in 169 completed apprenticeships. XMIM currently has 239 apprentices or school-based trainees. All partnerships are regularly monitored, reviewed and modified to ensure XMIM and its partners deliver programs that are relevant to students, employers and the community.