Dedicated Trainee and First Nations not-for-profit take home prestigious Queensland Training Award

A Mackay business trainee and Australia’s largest discrete Aboriginal community have taken out two prestigious awards at the 2024 Queensland Training Awards.

Teenager Chelsea Bostock has been honoured as the Best School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year at the Queensland Training Awards, held in Brisbane at the weekend.

After earning her Certificate II in Salon Assistant in Year 10, Chelsea now commits one day a week to Intuition — The Art of Hair, as part of her School-Based Apprenticeship, “I’m currently completing my Apprenticeship, finishing Year 12, and improving my beauty skills through an online course at Eyelash Boutique in Ipswich, which I fit into my spare time. In addition, I work part-time at our local pub and keep active by playing touch football and netball,” Chelsea said.

Her success is supported by Apprentice Connect Provider Mas National (part of the IntoWork Group), where effective time management and strong communication have been crucial, “From the start, my Apprentice Consultant Tara was incredibly supportive, keeping me well-informed and regularly checking in.”

Mas National Apprenticeship Consultant Tara Thompson said it’s not surprising Chelsea has been commended for her achievements, “Over the past three years, she has successfully balanced her academic responsibilities with her burgeoning career in hairdressing, earning accolades for her dedication and hard work,” Tara said.

Chelsea advanced to the state finals after clinching the regional title in Central Queensland, “I didn’t expect to win.  Securing the award has boosted my confidence. It’s clear that others recognise the effort I put into hairdressing, which isn’t just a job for me but my passion,” she said.

In addition to Chelsea’s accomplishments, Mas National celebrated the success of their partner organisation, the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples PBC Aboriginal Corporation (GMYPPBC), which won the Small Employer of the Year award.

GMYPPBC, a charity and not-for-profit organisation based in Yarrabah — the largest discrete Aboriginal community in Australia—was founded in February 2021. The corporation has since launched a First Nations ranger program that promotes employment and training through various environmental management activities.

Their partnership with Mas National, initiated in 2021, supports the Reef Assist Ranger Program, which focuses on fostering a sustainable, environmentally-driven economy for the community and the GMYPPBC Trustee Area.

Mas National acting CEO Ruth Hundertmark praised the achievements of Chelsea and GMYPPBC at this year’s training awards, “Our businesses strive to ensure the best outcomes for students, apprentices, trainees, and employers through our programs, services and partnerships,” Ms Hundertmark said.

“GMYPPC are an amazing not-for-profit organisation, and their program aligns with the Group’s mission to provide meaningful employment with dedicated training to empower individuals and communities, and Chelsea is a highly committed trainee who embodies our values of integrity and courage. We congratulate both on their achievements so far.”

IntoWork Group business MRAEL congratulated former Olympic swimmer Tessa Wallace, who was awarded the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award after transitioning from the pool to the professional world. Tessa’s employer, World Wide Boat Brokers sought the support from MRAEL to facilitate Tessa’s traineeship for a Certificate III in Business. They also congratulate Sean Slack who was nominated in the Best School-based Apprentice or Trainee Award.

Chelsea and Tessa will compete in the Australian Training Awards this December.