2023 Queensland Training Awards State Final Presentation Dinner

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and Minister for Youth Justice, the Honourable Di Farmer MP; Director-General of the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training, Mr Bob Gee APM; Queensland Training Ombudsman, Mr Geoff Favell; awardees, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here.  

I am so pleased to be with you this evening to celebrate the remarkable success of our State’s outstanding vocational education and training sector.  

These Queensland Training Awards, now in their 62nd year, are a tribute to the transformative nature of skills acquisition, and the life-changing power of vocational education and training.  

To the winners, a hearty congratulations for the hard work and determination you have demonstrated.  

You are the standouts in vocational education and training, and you should be very proud of your achievements.  

You are evidence, if any were needed, that Queensland continues to produce a talented workforce in areas of high need and demand. 

To all those undertaking vocational education and training, your path to employment is vitally important not only to you, but to Queensland as a whole.  

A strong and skilled workforce is essential to supporting our economy and sustaining our communities. 

And while this is indeed a wonderful opportunity to recognise individuals for their excellence, we also acknowledge those teachers, trainers and providers who have played such a significant role in preparing our workforce of the future. 

These include our leading small, medium and large employers and training providers.  

Thank you for your hard work and dedication, and congratulations on the significant role you have played in developing and upskilling these accomplished apprentices, trainees and students whom we celebrate this evening. 

The future of so many industries is in their hands, and you share much of the credit for their achievements and future success. 

Congratulations to you all.