Lauren Campbell, a young tradeswoman from Manly West, has received top recognition as the Apprentice of the Year during the 2021 Queensland Training Awards virtual ceremony.
A budding leader in her industry, Ms Campbell was honoured for her skills as an air-conditioning and refrigeration tradeswoman. Showing interest as a Year 12 student, Ms Campbell was able to land a job as the very first female apprentice of AG Coombs Queensland, a leading specialist in building services.
“As a fully qualified tradesperson with the company, Lauren is recognised as a future industry leader, who has already promoted careers in heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration to other young women,” Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said.
“Lauren is a deserving recipient of the 2021 Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award.”
The annual Queensland Training Awards significantly boosts an industry where labour shortages are a reality and acknowledging the apprentices, trainees, students, employers, teachers and training providers could help fill the gaps, according to Ms Farmer.
Also recognised at this year’s awards is Kasey Hardy from Chinchilla, who was named the 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year. She works under the Western Downs Indigenous Traineeship program for Harness Energy Services and Shell QGC and has earned her Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety. She is currently mentoring new Indigenous trainees.
Danielle Dixon from Lota was named 2021 VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year.
“As Executive Chef and Head of School at The Institute of Culinary Excellence (ICE), Danielle was instrumental in transforming ICE’s teaching methods through COVID-19, migrating to online learning, saving countless apprenticeships and careers,” Ms Farmer said.
“Danielle is passionate about addressing mental health and wellbeing issues within the hospitality sector, having created a program for her students with industry links that she’s looking to grow and expand.
“ICE took out the 2021 Small Training Provider of the Year title in recognition of providing apprentices and trainees with training delivered by some of the best chef teachers in the industry, in purpose-built training kitchens at Coorparoo and Kelvin Grove.”
Here’s the full list of winners of the 2021 Queensland Training Awards:
1. Lauren Campbell – Metropolitan – Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
2. Mitchell Pogan – Darling Downs South West – Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
3. Helen Millen – Tropical North Queensland – Vocational Student of the Year
4. Kasey Hardy – Darling Downs South West – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
5. Bree Connell – South East – School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
6. Mary Chol – Metropolitan – Equity VET Student of the Year
7. Danielle Dixon – Metropolitan – VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
8. The Migrant Centre Organisation Inc. (trading as TMC) – South East – Community Training Initiative of the Year
9. Core Developments NQ – North Queensland – Small Employer of the Year
10. Robinson Civil Group (RCG) – Tropical North Queensland – Medium Employer of the Year
11. Frizelle Sunshine Automotive – South East – Large Employer of the Year
12. The Institute of Culinary Excellence – State direct entry – Small Training Provider of the Year
13. TAFE Queensland – State direct entry – Large Training Provider of the Year
14. Queensland Water Skills Partnership – State direct entry – Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award
