Council pride in winners at CQ final of 2022 Queensland Training Awards

Central Highlands Regional Council took out two categories at the 2022 Queensland Training Awards (QTA) CQ Regional Final, hosted in Emerald last Saturday 23 July.

CEO Sharon Houlihan congratulated the CHRC team on a successful evening, with the training and development team winning Large Employer of the Year and Madonna Nelson-Bamford taking home Apprentice of the Year.

‘It was inspiring to hear of the dedication and commitment to professional development from Madonna, who won Apprentice of the Year in her role as supervisor of our Blackwater parks and gardens team,’ Ms Houlihan said.

Madonna joined the team in 2018 and began an apprenticeship the next year.

‘I started the apprenticeship as I wanted to expand my skill set, gain knowledge and potentially further my career,’ Ms Nelson-Bamford said.

‘It is an honour to have won this award, and just making it to the finals is a big achievement. I am blessed to have family and a work team who support and believe in me.

‘If you’re thinking about starting a traineeship, do it. Knowledge is power, and it has the ability to change your life!’ she said.

‘Equally inspiring was our training and development team’s win for their work striving to ensure council’s employees are given every opportunity to succeed in their chosen career,’ Ms Houlihan said.

‘Council offers a range of professional development through apprentice and trainee pathways, grassroots work experience programs and the delivery of targeted, needs-based training for its existing workforce.’

After two years of virtual finals, the event was bigger and better than ever, with 195 guests in attendance from all over Central Queensland. From Mackay to Longreach, to Birdsville and the North Burnett, it was great to have so many accomplished attendees flock to the Central Highlands region. 

Central Highland’s Mayor Kerry Hayes congratulated all winners in the 14 award categories, from Central Highlands Regional Council and from other organisations across Central Queensland.

’Council was incredibly proud to sponsor the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category which went to Jessy Edwards of Queensland Alumina Limited, and I congratulate Jessy for her win and her hard work,’ said Mayor Hayes.

Winners from each region will now face a second round of judging before heading to Brisbane on 17 September where the state winners will be announced.

You can view the current opportunities in the apprenticeship and traineeship program here. 

???? courtesy of Strong Images.