Regional Excellence in Education and Training

Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett congratulates the 2025 North Coast Queensland Training Awards winners. These outstanding students, trainers, employers and training programs are shaping the future of our workforce and demonstrating the value of vocational education across the region.

This year, we were proud to sponsor the Apprentice of the Year Award, which recognises dedication, skill development, and the pursuit of excellence in hands-on trades and training.

The achievements celebrated through these awards are a reminder that hard work and commitment to your goals can open doors to rewarding career pathways. Whether you're a school student just starting out or someone exploring a new direction later in life, vocational training offers diverse opportunities, often in industries or roles you may never have previously considered.

Award Winners:

• Apprentice of the Year: Kayla Benton – Certificate III in Hairdressing

  MIG Training | Becky B Hair North Lakes

• Trainee of the Year: Felicity Wadsworth – Certificate III in Civil Construction

  Orbus3 | Community Solutions and RoadTek

• Vocational Student of the Year: Tracey MacDonald – Diplomas in Alcohol and Other Drugs, and Mental Health

  TAFE Queensland | Drug ARM

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Levi AhSee – Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

  Connect ‘n’ Grow | Caloundra State High School | Nambour General Hospital

• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Joel McLachlan – Certificate III in Carpentry

  Inscope Training | St Columban’s College | McLachlan Homes

• Equity Student of the Year: Jodie Mackey – Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)

  TESS Inc. (Fraser Coast) | Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety

• VET Teacher or Trainer of the Year: Shaun Andrews-Close

  CTA Training Specialists

• Community Training Initiative of the Year: Making Tracks Security Program

  Five Bridges

Employer Awards:

• Large Employer of the Year: Sesame Lane

• Medium Employer of the Year: Eckersley Print Group

• Small Employer of the Year: Becky B Hair North Lakes

A big congrats to finalists and recipients for their dedication to learning, growth and innovation, and we thank the training providers and employers helping to guide the next generation into strong career pathways.

Special thanks to our fellow sponsors for supporting this year’s awards and championing vocational education throughout North Coast Queensland.

Winners will now go on to represent our region at the State Final in Brisbane on 13 September 2025.

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