A Queensland Alumina Limited apprentice is one of the winners announced tonight at Central Queensland’s 2022 Queensland Training Awards.
Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer congratulated the 11 regional winners including Jessy Edwards who took out the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year title.
“Jessy changed her university law studies for an apprenticeship with Queensland Alumina Limited and discovered a passion for all things mechanical.
“The large Gladstone worksite allowed Jessy to gain a range of skills as she successfully completed her Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade in 2021.”
Minister Farmer said Queensland’s high quality VET system not only helps build a skilled workforce it enables people to follow their passions and find their dream jobs.
“The region’s Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year, Madonna Nelson-Bamford, joined the Parks and Gardens team at Central Highlands Regional Council in 2018 and began an apprenticeship the next year.
“Having completed her Certificate III in Parks and Gardens through CQ University, Madonna is a proud advocate for training pathways, and in particular, mature-age apprenticeships.”
“Madonna’s employer, the Central Highlands Regional Council, also took out the region’s Large Employer of the Year award for its commitment to workforce development.
“The council offers a range of professional development through apprentice and trainee pathways, grassroots work experience programs and the delivery of targeted, needs-based training for its existing workforce.”
Minister Farmer said the region’s School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year title went to Martine David, a Year 11 student at The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, who is undertaking a school-based traineeship through Leisure Employment Australia.
“Completing a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation has given Martine the opportunity to share her passion for swimming with others and help fill a national shortage of swim teachers and lifeguards.”
Minister Farmer said these training success stories illustrate the importance of high-quality training and how it can make a huge difference to people’s lives.
“That’s why in last month’s 2022-23 State Budget we increased our investment in skills and training to more than $1.2 billion to continue delivering high quality training and creating exciting career pathways for Queenslanders.
“Every dollar we invest in skills and training pays dual dividends by enriching the lives and employment prospects of students and by fuelling the state’s economy with a highly trained workforce,” Minister Farmer said.
Member for Rockhampton, Barry O’Rourke said it’s extremely important that the hard work of our outstanding apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers, employers and community organisations in our region is recognised.
“They are making wonderful contributions to Central Queensland communities and transforming lives through the power of skills – they deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts and success,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“I’m excited to see how our regional winners shine when they progress to the State Final on September 17 in Brisbane.”
To view a full list of the Central Queensland winners, visit and images can be found at:
