Past winners' testaments

Selena Smith, 2007 Queensland and Australian Vocational Student of the Year.

‘Personally, the awards have reinforced my training and opened the door to some amazing opportunities and friendships. The journey from regional to national level has been incredible and is one story that will be told to many.’

Selena Smith, 2007 Queensland and Australian Vocational Student of the Year.

Brett and Sharon Payton, Payton Kitchens, 2007 Queensland Small Employer of the Year.

‘We won the 2007 Queensland award and were the Australian finalist for Small Employer of the Year. By simply entering you learn quickly what you are doing right and what your business can improve on.’

Brett and Sharon Payton, Payton Kitchens, 2007 Queensland Small Employer of the Year.

Michael Rennie, 2007 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

‘To me, winning the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award is acknowledgment. Acknowledgment of my hard work, acknowledgment of Indigenous radio and acknowledgment of the importance of Indigenous radio in the future of this country.’

Michael Rennie, 2007 Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.

Brad Deas, Director, Blue Dog Training, 2007 Private Training Organisation of the Year.

‘Winning the Private Training Organisation of the Year award and being supported by the Department of Education, Training and the Arts has given us confidence to increase our scope of delivery and provided us with exposure to industries and interstate government departments that we've previously had limited dealings with.’

Brad Deas, Director, Blue Dog Training, 2007 Private Training Organisation of the Year.

Louise Starr, Owner/Director, Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing, 2008 Queensland Small Employer of the Year.

‘Winning this award has made me focus and constantly improve training within my business. It takes time to write the submission, but the experiences, exposure and recognition for the business make up for that time over and over again.’

Louise Starr, Owner/Director, Surrender Dorothy Hairdressing, 2008 Queensland Small Employer of the Year.

Jeni Wycha, 2008 Queensland Vocational Student of the Year.

‘Winning the Queensland Vocational Student of the Year has reinforced to me the saying "from little things big things grow". With the backing of good teachers, a course you are interested in and a spark to want to succeed, anything is possible.’

Jeni Wycha, 2008 Queensland Vocational Student of the Year.

Mike Wallace, General Manager, First Impressions Resources, 2008 Queensland Private Training Provider of the Year.

‘Winning the Private Training Provider of the Year is great recognition for our staff and the contribution that they make to our learners and employers. The application process was also an opportunity for us to evaluate ourselves in key areas and this has contributed to our continuous improvement.’

Mike Wallace, General Manager, First Impressions Resources, 2008 Queensland Private Training Provider of the Year.

Duncan Smith, Human Resources Manager Queensland, Stowe Australia, 2008 Queensland Employer of the Year.

‘Winning the Employer of the Year category at the 2008 Queensland Training Awards has provided positive exposure for our business and greatly improved our ability to attract high calibre employees. I'd recommend the awards to any business or employee undertaking vocational training in Queensland.’

Duncan Smith, Human Resources Manager Queensland, Stowe Australia, 2008 Queensland Employer of the Year.