ECEC finalists announced for Queensland’s top training awards

Queensland Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman has announced the students, teachers, employers, training and community organisations who are regional finalists for this year’s Queensland Training Awards.

Ms Fentiman said that 221 finalists have been selected from more than 865 applications across the state. The early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is well represented in the finalists category, with training provider Kool Kids featuring prominently.

Three students, Ella Phillips, Hayley Smith-Fulmer and Eva Angeloglou, all studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care school-based apprenticeship or traineeship with Kool Kids, have been nominated for School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.

Bright Kids After School Care has been nominated for Small Employer of the Year, and Brooke Bowden who is studying her Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care with Australian Child Care Career Options (ACCCO) has been nominated for the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award.

Ms Fentiman noted that selection as a regional finalist recognises the outstanding contribution made by nominees to Queensland’s growth and economy, encouraging local community members to attend the regional finals to recognise and support their local finalists.

The 11 regional award categories being contested at the regional finals are:

• Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
• Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
• Vocational Student of the Year
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
• VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
• Equity VET Student of the Year
• Community Training Initiative of the Year
• Small, Medium and Large Employer of the Year.

Regional finals for the Queensland Training Awards will be held around the state during July. Tickets will go on sale later in June.

“Regional winners will go on to represent their region at the Queensland Training Awards State Gala Dinner, to be held on 14 September in Brisbane,” Ms Fentiman said.

The Queensland Training Awards are run by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training with the support of regional and state sponsors.

A full list of the regional finalists is available at: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/winners-and-finalists/regions.

For regional final event information and tickets, visit: https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/award-ceremonies.