August 2, 2022
Tarong Power Station employee James Christensen has been named the Darling Downs South West Apprentice of the Year.
The regional winners in the annual Queensland Training Awards were announced in Dalby on Friday night.
The Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award is presented to an individual undertaking an apprenticeship who has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.
James completed a Certificate III in Electrotechnology / Certificate III in Instrumentation and Control with TAFE Queensland in 2021 and is now employed full-time by Stanwell Corporation.
Other South Burnett representatives in the Darling Downs South West regional awards include:
- Mitchell Hawes (Certificate III in Meat Processing – Retail Butcher) – finalist in the Harry Hauenschild Apprentice of the Year award
- Jamie Atkins (Certificate III in Business Administration) – finalist in the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award
- Jack Campbell (Diploma of Civil Construction Management / Diploma of Project Management) – finalist in the Vocational Student of the Year award
Regional winners have the opportunity of competing at the State Awards which will be announced at a function in Brisbane on September 17.
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The South Burnett Regional Council also won an award at this year’s regional finals, coming third in the Large Employer of the Year category.
This category recognises outstanding achievement in vocational and educational training by a Queensland business with 200 or more full-time equivalent employees.
“Council maintains a dedicated budget for learning and development, ensuring employees can work towards achieving their established career paths or gain skills to meet identified training gaps,” acting CEO Susan Jarvis said.
“Investing in our people follows through to support the delivery of our many services to our community.”
Ms Jarvis said the Council would also like to congratulate and recognise the two other finalists in the category, Oakey Beef Exports and Western Downs Regional Council (the winner of this year’s Award).
“We would also like to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of our trainees and apprentices, their supervisors and teams and the support network we have established to give our trainees and apprentices the best start in their careers.”
Ms Jarvis said the Council has lodged a bid with the First Start Funding – Skilling Queenslanders for Work program.
If this was successful, South Burnett Regional Council will be offering another ten traineeships in March 2023.
[UPDATED – originally published as James Wins Apprenticeship Award]
