About the Queensland Training Awards
The Queensland Training Awards have been celebrating excellence in training and the transformative power of skills since 1962.
The annual awards recognise individuals and organisations that strive for and have achieved success, best practice and innovation in vocational education and training (VET), with categories for apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers, as well as training providers, community-based organisations and employers.
The seven individual award categories and four organisational categories are initially contested across the state's seven regional areas - Tropical North Queensland, North Queensland, Central Queensland, Darling Downs South West, North Coast, Metropolitan and South East.
Regional winners go on to represent their region as state finalists in their respective categories, joining finalists in the state-only training provider and industry collaboration categories at September’s special state final event.
Award categories
Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year
In 2000, the Queensland Training Awards Apprentice of the Year Award became known as the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year Award.
Harry Hauenschild AO believed in the value of apprenticeships, which led him to take on a leading role as a training advocate and mentor for most of his life. His passion for industrial relations, workers’ rights, the union movement, apprenticeship training and the community was always strong.
As a result of his unflagging support and advocacy for vocational education and training, Harry Hauenschild is regarded as an icon of trade training in Queensland, and we are proud to have his name supporting the QTA Apprentice of the Year Award.
Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year
In 2003, the Queensland Training Awards Trainee of the Year Award became known as the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year Award.
Bob Marshman AM had many career highlights. During the 1980s, he was a key player at the Commonwealth level in the transformation of the apprenticeship and traineeship system. In 1992, Bob moved to Brisbane to head up the Queensland Department of Employment, Vocational Training and Industrial Relations. He became prominent for his roles in the reformation of workplace health and safety, and the reforms of the TAFE, industrial relations and workers compensation systems.
Today Bob is recognised as one of the foremost authorities on VET in Australia, both during his time in the Commonwealth Government and later with the Queensland Government.
Individual Awards
Vocational Student of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement by a student who has recently completed or is due to complete a vocational education and training qualification in Queensland.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student within the Queensland vocational education and training sector.
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement by a Queensland school-based apprentice or trainee.
Equity Student of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement in overcoming a significant barrier or disadvantage to effectively participate in vocational education and training.
VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement by a teacher or trainer providing nationally recognised training to students at, or in partnership with, a registered training organisation.
Employer and organisation categories
The training provider and Premier's Industry Collaboration Award categories are presented at the state level only.
Large Training Provider of the Year (state only)
Awarded for outstanding contribution to the delivery of vocational education and training in Queensland by a registered training organisation delivering to 500 or more students enrolled at the time of nomination.
Small Training Provider of the Year (state only)
Awarded for outstanding contribution to the delivery of vocational education and training in Queensland by a registered training organisation delivering to fewer than 500 students enrolled at the time of nomination.
Community Training Initiative of the Year
Awarded for providing outstanding assistance to Queenslanders to gain the skills, experience and vocational education and training qualifications required to enter and stay in the workplace, by a community-based not-for-profit organisation.
Large Employer of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement in the area of vocational education and training by a Queensland business with 200 or more full-time equivalent employees.
Medium Employer of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement in the area of vocational education and training by a Queensland business with 20 to 199 full-time equivalent employees.
Small Employer of the Year
Awarded for outstanding achievement in the area of vocational education and training by a Queensland business with 19 or fewer full-time equivalent employees.
Premier's Industry Collaboration Award (state only)
Awarded for outstanding collaboration providing exemplary skills development between an employer/industry body and a registered training organisation.
State winners of the nationally aligned categories have the opportunity to progress to the Australian Training Awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Henneken AM - 2015
As a Queensland Government public servant, Mr Peter Henneken AM entered the sector in the 1980s, just as a new National Training System was taking shape. He became a guiding influence in the creation of the VET system, at both a state and national level.
Mr Henneken describes the introduction of the Australian Traineeship System as his greatest achievement, with the change positively impacting on both workers and industry. His leadership role in introducing an Australian Traineeship System, via the Kirby Inquiry in 1984, has resulted in thousands of people across Queensland and Australia entering into structured employment and training opportunities and long-term careers.
The significant contribution of Peter Henneken AM to vocational education and training (VET) in Queensland and Australia, and his leadership in the sector, has helped to shape the world class training system Australia has today.
Mary Campbell - 2020
As the Chief Executive Officer, Mary Campbell is responsible for the strategic direction and overall operation of TAFE Queensland – the largest and most experienced provider of vocational education and training across Queensland, delivering practical, industry-relevant training to over 120,000 students each year.
Mary has spent more than 30 years working in the VET sector. She is passionate about all aspects of TAFE Queensland, particularly creating real and successful outcomes for students, communities, employers and industry.
A highly regarded leader in Queensland, Mary is also well-known at a national and international level through her membership on a number of government, industry and community forums and committees. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a member of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia trustee, a member of the TAFE Directors Australia Board and a Queensland Overseas Foundation Governor.
