Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson said 11 categories were up for grabs in the
49th annual awards, which will celebrate outstanding vocational education and training achievements of individuals and businesses.

“A skilled Queenslanders workforce means we enjoy better services, healthier local economies and greater opportunities to succeed in the future,” Mr Wilson said.

“Staying competitive across a host of traditional and emerging industries is more important than ever before and the Queensland Government recognises that our skills base is crucial to our future.

“Along with our Toward Q2 strategy which supports flexible post-school learning opportunities, we also want three in every four Queenslanders to hold a trade, training or tertiary qualification by 2020.

“We are setting the bar high and Queenslanders are rising to the challenge.”

Mr Wilson said last year’s Queensland Training Awards attracted more than 640 nominations from across Queensland.

He said regional finals would be held throughout the state during July and August, ahead of the state final in Brisbane in September and national Australian Training Awards which winners will be eligible to enter.

Nominations close on March 18, 2010. For entry details and a full list of categories, visit www.qta.qld.gov.au.

Media contact: Jo Crompton or Rick Morton on 3237 1000

January 20,

Source: PressZoom