Best in the Far North

Awards showcase the No. 1 apprentices, trainees, students and trainers

l FAR NORTH

| Nick Dalton

SEVEN people and four organisations have topped the 2023 Tropical North Queensland Training Awards.

They showcase the best 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.

Cairns MP Michael Healy said Ms Nancarrow was “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,” he said.

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.

She 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 Friday night. The other winners were:

• Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year - Kohan Hanby, certificate III in engineering –fabrication trade, of Redlynch

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

- Shaniqua Burke, certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander primary health care of Napranum

• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year - Kyezaya Namai-Sabatino, certificate II in engineering, of Napranum

• Equity Student of the YearHtoo Khaing, certificate I in construction of Manunda

• VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year - Brandon Felix, St Andrew’s Catholic College, of Trinity Beach

• Community Training Initiative of the Year - Anglicare North Queensland (Healthy Communities Project) of 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.

“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,” Mr Healy said.

He praised 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,” Mr Healy said.

“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.”