CHASE A TRAINING AWARD

MORE apprentices and trainees who consider themselves “average” are encouraged to nominate for the Australian Training Awards next year.

Queensland Trainee of the Year Kathleen Jones urges everyone who has completed a vocational education and training (VET) qualification to enter, and to not assume only the best of the best will get a look in.

“It would be the real high achievers that usually apply but more of the average people need to apply for it, too,” she says.

“You don’t have to have done something in particular or won anything before, just completed your certificate and show you are an advocate for VET and that you are willing to promote it.

“(You must be) able to (want to) speak about it on a broad level and share your story.”

Jones, who completed a Certificate III in Telecommunications Technology in February, had already completed an apprenticeship that made her a qualified mechanic.

She says a lot of the skills learned during her Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology were transferable into her current role as a telecommunications installer and repairer for Telstra.

“All the health and safety aspects and working at heights and working in confined spaces and the technical side from mechanics (transferred across),” she says.

“I really enjoyed the testing and electrical side of automotive and the copper network is pretty much one big car so I can go through and find the problems.”

Jones received the Queensland Trainee of the Year award in September after being named the winner for the North Queensland Training Awards in July.

Jones, 25, says the most beneficial part has been the opportunity to meet lots of people and feel as though her hard work is being appreciated.

“Even if you don’t walk away with the prize at the end of the day, having a celebration with everyone is what means the most,” she says.