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Building industry’s top performers recognised
High performing building industry apprentices were recognised at the 2024 TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards.
The best and brightest building industry apprentices were recognised at the 2024 TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards on Thursday 10 October at the Royal International Convention Centre in Bowen Hills, Brisbane in a night to remember for attendees.
Drawing a crowd of 350 attendees made up mostly of apprentices, their employers, and guests, with industry sponsors and TAFE Queensland staff also in attendance, the event showcased the nation’s top training provider’s very best apprentices across 14 trade categories along with two employer categories.
Apprentices were treated to a spectacular celebration of their excellence.
Building industry categories on the night included the TradeTools Carpentry Apprentice of the Year, Coke Vending Furnishing Trades Apprentice of the Year, Cbus Construction Apprentice of the Year, TAFE Queensland Foundation Painting and Decorating Apprentice of the Year, and Brick and Block Careers Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year.
The first award of the night, the TradeTools Carpentry Apprentice of the Year, was won by Harrison Steptoe from MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees thanks to his exceptional skills that have already seen him represent Queensland at last year’s WorldSkills Australia National Championships in Melbourne.
Harrison Steptoe celebrates his award on the night.
Following him was Jeremy Boulton from Total Fitouts Inner North Brisbane taking out the Coke Vending Furnishing Trades Apprentice of the Year due to his outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills developed across his initial, 30-year career in corporate work that support his trade skills.
Jeremy Boulton with fellow category finalists and sponsor Coke Vending.
Up next, the Cbus Construction Apprentice of the Year, which covers a range of trades including plastering, tiling, upholstery, and more, was won by North Queensland star apprentice Dina Sobol from Aztak Upholstery, whose employer said: “I have never seen anyone take to this trade as fast as Dina has.”
Dina Sobol was unable to attend the event, with TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech Construction Training Business Manager David Rice accepting the award on her behalf.
The TAFE Queensland Foundation Painting and Decorating Apprentice of the Year went to Amalgamated Painting Service apprentice Shimeka Holland, whose trade skills are bolstered by her unparalleled ability to boost team morale at all times.
Shimeka Holland celebrates with category sponsor TAFE Queensland Foundation.
The final building industry award of the night was the Brick and Block Careers Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year, won by Amy Stubbs of Brad Gray Bricklaying. Another winner who has shown their merit by winning regional WorldSkills competitions in 2024, Amy was praised by her teacher as consistently being best in her class across a range of metrics.
Amy Stubbs awarded her trophy by sponsor Brick & Block Careers Ambassador and 2023 category winner Hamid Amini.
TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech General Manager Stephen Gates said the 2024 TAFE Queensland – SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards was, above all else, an opportunity to encourage reflection on the achievements of Queensland’s future industry leaders.
“Every year, this event gives us the opportunity to promote rewarding excellence and engage the employers who train apprentices with us to think about what their apprentices’ best assets are,” Mr Gates said.
“I was lucky enough to be involved in the judging process and it was remarkable to hear about the achievements of our apprentices and their individual stories. There is no one pathway to success in a trade career and that was exemplified by our winners in 2024.”
“We had Apprentices of the Year that were male, female, under 18, over 45, from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, North Queensland, starting their first career, extending with a second trade, or changing careers completely. That in itself was inspiring.”
TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech General Manager Stephen Gates addresses the crowd at the 2024 TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards.
“TAFE Queensland is so thankful to the raft of industry sponsors that make this event possible, led by Main Event Sponsor CSQ, and enable us to create a fantastic memory for our apprentices as they move towards a high-flying career,” Mr Gates said.