Redlynch engineering trainee Kohan Hanby and Mt Sheridan accounting and bookkeeping Certificate IV graduate Emily Nancarrow, are celebrating their wins at the Tropical North Queensland, Queensland Training Awards in Cairns last night.
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 region’s Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year is Emily Nancarrow of Mt Sheridan, who completed a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping after finding gaps in the market for young entrepreneurs when she started her first e-commerce business.
The winner of the Vocational Student of the Year category, Jessica Addo, completed a Certificate IV and Diploma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education through RATEP and TAFE Far North.
Jessica now works as a PCYC Outside School Hours Care Supervisor and is studying a Bachelor of Education.
She is a passionate representative for women’s rugby league and is deeply connected to her Aboriginal community in Cairns and Mornington Island.
The regional winners were announced at the local Queensland Training Awards event at the Cairns Convention Centre last night.
Quotes attributable to Member for Cairns Michael Healy who represented Minister Di Farmer at the awards:
“We have many high-achievers in our wonderful community and this year’s Queensland Training Awards highlighted that right across the region from Cairns and Port Douglas to Mt Sheridan and Napranum.
“Emily is a shining example. She excelled and received three Student of the Month awards during her studies with the Australian College of Commerce and Management and now trains new staff while building her own industry expertise.
“So too Jessica Addo, Shaniqua Burke, Kohan Hanby, Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino and Htoo Khaing. St Andrew’s Catholic College’s VET Teacher / Trainer of the Year Brandon Felix has done a magnificent job.
“I congratulate Anglicare North Queensland for taking out the Community Training Initiative of the Year for their comprehensive support services for vulnerable people in the region since 1985.
“Their programs foster connection between the unemployed and local organisations, employers, and government agencies.
“Anglicare NQ also collaborates to address workforce gaps and offers fun, individual and group learnings that support the accredited training and practical skills needed to fill future workforce gaps.
“I wish the winners from Tropical North Queensland all the best at the Queensland Training Awards state finals in September.”
Quotes attributable to 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 Queensland Training Awards recognise excellence in training and showcase the power of skills across the state from the Far North to the South West including those named as among the best in the Tropical North region.
“In addition to the region’s individual winners, I also congratulate the employers who have won awards for dedication to training their workforce such as Tableland Veterinary Service which has been named the region’s Medium Employer of the Year.
“They operate six clinics and remote outreach services and invest heavily in training and skills development.
“Congratulations to all the regional finalists and winners who are the skilled Queenslanders we need for our economy to grow.”
Explainer/fast fact and or further information:
State-wide nominations increased by more than 40 per cent from last year with over 210 regional finalists selected from more than 800 nominations.
Notable winners from last year’s awards include Jennah Halley from Cairns who won the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year and went on to be named Australia’s top apprentice.
Jennah, who completed a Certificate III in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, is a proactive role model and mentor encouraging more women to take up the trade.
The Queensland Government invests more than $1.2 billion annually in training and skills and that investment is a driving force behind the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032.
To learn more about the Queensland Training Awards visit
Full list of Tropical North Queensland winners:
Individual award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year – Kohan Hanby, Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication Trade, Redlynch, Cairns
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year – Emily Nancarrow, Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, Mt Sheridan, Cairns
Vocational Student of the Year – Jessica Addo, Diploma of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, Manunda, Cairns
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year – Shaniqua Burke, Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care, Napranum
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year – Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino, Certificate II in Engineering, Napranum
Equity Student of the Year – Htoo Khaing, Certificate I in Construction, Manunda, Cairns
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year – Brandon Felix, St Andrew’s Catholic College, Trinity Beach
Organisation award categories
Community Training Initiative of the Year – Anglicare North Queensland – Healthy Communities Project, Cairns
Large Employer of the Year – HSA Group (joint venture by John Holland, Seymour Whyte and AECOM), working on Cairns Southern Access Corridor Stage 3 project
Medium Employer of the Year – Tableland Veterinary Service, Edmonton, Charters Towers, Atherton, Malanda, Ravenshoe and Weipa
Small Employer of the Year – Mark Fletcher Solid Plaster and Texture Coatings, Port Douglas
