The North Coast region has named 11 winners in the 62nd Queensland Training Awards.
The 2023 Queensland Training Awards showcase the great work in vocational education and training (VET) across the state, with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, as well as training providers and employers.
The North Coast winners this year include the region’s Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year Jackson McIvor from Buddina on the Sunshine Coast. After putting his Certificate III in Electrotechnology apprenticeship on hold Jackson resumed his apprenticeship in 2019 with Australian Trade Training College.
He became an electrician with Complex Electrical where his work ethic, broad knowledge base and his initiative saw him become the first apprentice to be seconded to its Mining Business Unit.
Dana Whiston, a proud Gooreng Gooreng woman from Caloundra, was declared the winner in two categories – Vocational Student of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
Dana completed her Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing or Disability) at STEPS Education and Training, Caloundra and chose this path after the loss of her mother.
Her dedication led her to a role with a First Nations company where she supports Indigenous women and children. Dana actively engages with the community, organising events like Deadly Coffee and leading a Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group.
The regional winners were announced at the local Queensland Training Awards event at the Events Centre, Caloundra tonight (Friday 28 July 2023).
Quotes attributable to the Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt:
“”We have many high-achievers in our wonderful community and this year’s North Coast regional Queensland Training Awards highlights that.
“Well done Jackson and Dana for their successes. Dana in particular with wins in two categories is a shining light.
“I congratulate Teens Take Control for taking out the Community Training Initiative of the Year for its program that provides early intervention activities for at-risk youth on the Sunshine Coast.
“The Teens Take Control Careers Pathway Program offers specialised training and support to help participants achieve nationally accredited qualifications and transition to the workforce.
“By collaborating with local businesses, schools and support organisations the program aims to improve education, employment, and life skills for vulnerable young people.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:
“Providing Queenslanders with opportunities to get a job, grow their skills and have a great lifestyle is a priority of the Palaszczuk Government.
“The stories of our winners right, across the region from Buddina and Sandstone Point to Battery Hill and Caloundra, are an inspiration for us all.
“In addition to the individual winners, I also congratulate the employers who have won awards for dedication to training their workforce such as ePlants Nurseries which has been named the region’s Small Employer of the Year.
“With more than 30 years in the industry, this company has grown into a leading plant nursery on 30 acres in the Noosa Shire and is dedicated to training, offering school-based traineeships, school work experience and apprenticeship opportunities to its employees.
“Congratulations to all the North Coast regional winners and finalists who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to grow.”
Photos:
(Lachlan Dorrel, Jackson McIvor, White’s IGA, ECOllaboration, Temika Sturgess, ePlants Nurseries, Dana Whiston)
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit
Full list of North Coast finalists:
Individual awards categories:
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Jackson McIvor, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, Buddina, Sunshine Coast
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Taylar Rameka, Certificate III in Business, Battery Hill, Sunshine Coast
Vocational Student of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Dana Whiston, Certificate III in Individual Support, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Temika Sturgess, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Burpengary, Moreton Bay region
Equity Student of the Year – Lachlan Dorrell, Certificate I in Construction, Sandstone Point, Moreton Bay region
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – David Bradford, Bradford Institute of Advanced Education, Scarborough, Moreton Bay region
Organisation awards categories:
Community Training Initiative of the Year – Teens Take Control, Career Pathways Program, Maroochydore
Large Employer of the Year – White’s IGA, Sunshine Coast
Medium Employer of the Year – ECOllaboration, Nambour
Small Employer of the Year – ePlants Nurseries, Doonan, Sunshine Coast
Photos:
(Lachlan Dorrel, Jackson McIvor, White’s IGA, ECOllaboration, Temika Sturgess, ePlants Nurseries, Dana Whiston)
