TAFE Queensland treated tradies to a red-carpet event to remember as they celebrated the best and brightest apprentices in the building industry.
Last Thursday, a crowd of over 350 apprentices, employees, TAFE teachers and industry sponsors all came together at the Royal International Convention Centre in Bowen Hills to recognise the amazing work being done by the nation’s top training provider’s very best tradie in training.
There were over 14 awards up for grabs for work done across the sector, with categories including 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.
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.
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.
In his congratulatory speech, his employer said she had “never seen anyone take to this trade as fast as Dina has”.
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.
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.
As the night came to a close and apprentices geared up to get back on the tools come Friday morning, SkillsTech General Manager Stephen Gates took to the stage to once again congratulate tradies on their amazing achievements and encouraged tradies to continue celebrating the work of the industry’s future 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.”
