2024 Queensland Training Awards Presentation Dinner

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, the Honourable Lance McCallum MP; Director-General, Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Mr Peter McKay; Queensland Training Ombudsman, Mr Geoff Favell; awardees, your family and friends; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. 

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians 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 tonight.

It is my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate both the individual success of the Queensland Training Award finalists, and that of the State’s vocational education and training sector, which continues to go from strength-to-strength.

These annual Training Awards represent Queensland’s highest recognition for those in this arena, and it is just fabulous to see so many people here supporting and acknowledging those who have stood out as the best of the best.

Australia’s VET system is second to none, as is its Queensland counterpart. The sector’s commitment to aligning vocational qualifications with industry needs is what makes it so vitally important to our state’s economy.

An industry-relevant vocational education and training system addresses skills requirements for current industry attention, and for future industry creation. While catering to the practical skills that are in demand now, our providers also have a keen eye to the future, scanning the horizon to identify the skill sets future employers and industries will likely require, and upskilling workers so they are prepared to enter these new fields as they emerge.

A strong and skilled workforce is essential to supporting our economy and sustaining our communities. Increasing employability through job training leads to better job outcomes and increased productivity, lower unemployment and a sense of vitality in our state. Queenslanders enjoy a wonderful lifestyle, and this has been forged on the back of our skilled workforce across both large and small businesses.

There are many winners tonight and they come from a broad range of areas including apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers, employers, training providers and community organisations. And with over 700 nominations received for these awards, a huge congratulations must go to the 85 finalists.

Tonight, we pay tribute to you and your contribution to the wellbeing of our state’s communities and economy.

The vocational education and training sector invests in skills, and it through that transformative, life-changing power of training and education we empower those people, like you in the room tonight, who grow and sustain our regions.

For all you do to ensure Queenslanders can continue to enjoy our current prosperity – all while looking ahead to a bright future – you have our gratitude.

Thank you.