Queensland has shone on the national stage at the 2025 Australian Training Awards in Darwin on 5 December 2025 – showcasing the state’s exceptional talent and forward-thinking employers. The awards celebrate outstanding apprentices, trainees, vocational students, employers and training providers, highlighting the transformative impact of vocational education and training (VET) across the country.
Leading Queensland’s success was Cairns youth worker Kayla Gagai, who took out the coveted Trai
nee of the Year Award. Kayla’s career began in a business administration traineeship, where she discovered her true passion; supporting young people. While working with the Vocational Partnership Group (VPG), she completed a Certificate IV in Youth Work through TAFE Queensland. Today, Kayla is a full-time youth worker and a key member of VPG’s First Nations Leadership Team, coordinating cultural events and delivering cultural awareness training. She also facilitates programs such as Respect Me, promoting respectful relationships among school students, and Ready for Work, helping young people prepare for employment and obtain their driver’s licences. Kayla’s award recognises not only her dedication to young people but also the life-changing opportunities that vocational education provides.
Queensland’s employers were also celebrated, with Riviera Australia earning the Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award (Gold). Riviera, one of Australia’s largest luxury motor yacht manufacturers, operates from a 16.8-hectare facility on the Gold Coast and employs more than 900 skilled professionals, including 120 apprentices. Its Academy of Excellence, a purpose-built training facility, allows apprentices to learn directly alongside master craftspeople in real production environments. Riviera’s holistic approach ensures 95 percent of apprentices complete their training, many advancing into leadership roles or launching their own marine businesses. The award highlights the company’s commitment to workforce development and training innovation.
Murroona Gardens, a leading aged care provider, received a bronze medal in the Small Employer of the Year Award category. In partnership with Abbot Point Bulk Coal and Blue Stone Medical, the organisation has developed a dedicated training hub that delivers hands-on learning and sector-specific qualifications. Staff participate in structured programs, including Certificate III in Individual Support and specialised dementia care training, improving resident care outcomes and workforce retention. The recognition demonstrates how investment in training directly benefits both employees and communities.
CTA Training Specialists was awarded a bronze medal in the School Pathways to VET Award category, acknowledging more than 33 years of supporting school students and industry professionals in Queensland’s hospitality sector. CTA’s partnerships with schools, clubs and businesses deliver practical, workplace-focused training that equips students with transferable, career-ready skills. Their school-based traineeships, apprenticeships and vocational programs are helping prepare the next generation of hospitality leaders.
Following his success at the Queensland Training Awards in September, Dion Sands was awarded runner-up in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award category. A proud Gunggandji descendant, Dion completed a Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management through TAFE Queensland while working as a ranger on his traditional country. His dedication to learning and mentoring younger rangers highlights the importance of vocational education in preserving culture and protecting the environment.
From Cairns to the Gold Coast, aged care facilities to hospitality training hubs, Queensland’s 2025 Australian Training Awards winners demonstrate the power of skills to transform careers, communities and industries. Their achievements reflect skill, dedication and innovation — and offer a glimpse into a brighter, more skilled future for Australia.
Last updated 12 December 2025
