Engineering industry’s star apprentices awarded
Star apprentices from the engineering industry were presented awards at the 2024 TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech CSQ Apprentice Awards.
The best and brightest engineering 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.
On the night, there was the Weld Australia Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year and the CTIAQ Recreational Vehicle Apprentice of the Year, each awarded to apprentices already showing promising signs as industry leaders for the future.
Lachlan Kemble from MIGAS Apprentices and Trainees won the Weld Australia Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year thanks to his tremendous work ethic and dedication to his trade, with the winner already noting his desire to complete further TAFE Queensland study following his apprenticeship.
Meanwhile, Xavier Johansen from Caravan Repair Centre who won the CTIAQ Recreational Vehicle Apprentice of the Year for his skill and leadership qualities, with his TAFE Queensland teacher saying his greatest skill is his ability to delegate appropriate tasks to all team members in complex team tasks.
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 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.