WDRC and Vocational Student of the Year share top awards at Queensland Training Awards

Western Downs Regional Council’s innovative commitment to training has earned the organisation the title of Large Employer of the Year at last week’s Queensland Training Awards Regional Finals, where Council’s employee Jaimee Radke also received recognition as Vocational Student of the Year.

The prestigious Queensland Training Awards highlight and reward those individuals and organisations that strive for and achieve success in best practice and innovation in vocational education and training (VET).

This year’s awards were held in Dalby and brought finalists for the 11 categories from diverse industries across the Darling Downs and South West Queensland to the Western Downs to celebrate together.

Council’s Chief Executive Officer Jodie Taylor said that she was proud of the work that Council does to invest in its people with training and education.

“Our workforce, just like our region, is incredibly diverse and by investing in our people through training opportunities we ensure we have the best people on the ground with the skills to deliver exceptional services for our region,” Mrs Taylor said.

“We recognise that in the Western Downs it’s the people that make it, and we demonstrate our commitment to attracting and skilling our people. Since 2018, Council has employed 89 trainees and apprentices including disability and school based trainees.

“Our training program has an incredible success rate with over 70% of our completing trainees and apprentices obtaining employment within Council or the local community.

“We are extremely delighted to be recognised as Darling Downs South West Queensland Large Employer of the Year and I congratulate Jaimee Radke for being named Vocational Student of the Year.

“Jaimee’s passion for animal care and her studies in Certificate IV in Animal Control and Regulation make her instrumental to the important work of our Environmental Health Team”

Vocational Student of the Year Jaimee Radke said she was honoured to receive this award and to be recognised for her efforts by Queensland Training Awards.

“My passion for animal care and the support of Council and my team gave me the drive and confidence to complete my training to increase my knowledge and further my career.

“It is amazing to work for a Council who supports and encourages their employees to grow and develop and I would encourage anyone to apply for a Council Traineeship.”

One of Council’s most successful trainee and apprenticeship programs, Kickstart your Career, offers young and energised locals the opportunity to gain on-the-job training and experience with Council. Applications for the 2023 program will open in September.

Mayor Paul McVeigh said it was incredibly pleasing to see Council’s commitment to our people recognised by this awards program.

“We are very proud of Council’s innovative regional approach to training and of Jaimee’s achievements, and we would also like to extend our congratulations to the other finalists from the Western Downs especially Community Training Initiative of the Year, Dalby Welcoming Community,” Cr McVeigh said.

“I wish Jaimee and Council’s Organisational Development team, and our other Western Downs representatives good luck at the State Finals to be held in Brisbane on 17 September.”

For more information about the Queensland Training Awards, visit Queensland Government’s website.

For more information about Council’s training programs or our award winners contact Council on 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624).

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