Queensland’s training top guns honoured

Light vehicle mechanic Gabrielle Clift's skills have taken her to the pinnacle of Australian motor racing and earned the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year title at this year's Queensland Training Awards. Ms Clift (pictured above) completed an apprenticeship with Highfields Mechanical, in the Darling Downs region. Following work experience with Triple Eight Race Engineering, she was asked to join the crew at the famed Bathurst 1000 and is now working for Triple Eight full-time. A number of regional employers were among those recognised at the 2023 Queensland Training Awards – including automotive repairer McCarthy Panel Works. The North Mackay-based business won the Small Employer of the Year for their dedication to training and upskilling the next generation, to fill much-needed positions in the local community. Training and Skills Development Minister Di Farmer said the awards highlighted how the Queensland Government was helping to strengthen local communities – providing great training and keeping jobs local. “In the individual award categories, we honoured trailblazing women – who are forging careers and driving change in male-dominated industries," she said. “We’ve also recognised outstanding teachers and employers, whose enthusiasm, advice and encouragement are helping to grow Queensland’s skilled workforce. “These annual awards are not only an important celebration for the training sector, but a reminder of the many people who contribute to our success, and who are helping to address workforce shortages across the regions." Selected state winners will compete for national accolades at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart, Tasmania on November 17. 2023 Queensland Training Awards winners: Individual award categories Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Gabrielle Clift, Darling Downs South West (Toowoomba) Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Charlotte Ross, South East (Gold Coast) Vocational Student of the Year – Jessica Addo, Tropical North Queensland (Cairns) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Shaniqua Burke, Tropical North Queensland (Napranum) School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino, Tropical North Queensland (Western Cape College, Weipa) Equity Student of the Year – Dean Clark, South East (Gold Coast) VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Craig Jones, UQ Skills (Gatton), Darling Downs South West Organisation award categories Community Training Initiative of the Year – Everything Suarve, South East (Logan) Large Employer of the Year – White’s IGA, North Coast (Sunshine Coast) Medium Employer of the Year – All Purpose Transport, South East (Berrinba) Small Employer of the Year – McCarthy Panel Works, Central Queensland (North Mackay) State direct entry Large Training Provider of the Year – TAFE Queensland (Queensland) Small Training Provider of the Year – Demi International (Queensland) Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award – Programmed Training Services (Gladstone) McCarthy Panel Works was named Small Employer of the Year.

Queensland’s training top guns honoured

Industry Queensland

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