A focus on upskilling and developing staff led Central Highlands Regional Council to take out two Queensland Training Awards earlier this year.
Emerald man Toby Greenbury was named Central Queensland’s top trainee of the year after turning his gardening hobby into a career with the Council.
The mature-aged horticulture trainee received the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year award at the regional final of the 58th Queensland Training Awards, held in Rockhampton in July.
“I was a panel beater for 26 years, but always loved breeding plants at home,” Toby said.
“This traineeship offered me an opportunity to change my career path and support a better future for myself and my family.
“I’m very humbled to receive this award and look forward to continuing to build my skills and knowledge in an industry I really love.”
Council also took out the Large Employer of the Year, with other finalists including the Mackay Regional Council and Civeo Pty Ltd.
Manager Human Resources Tanya Rouse said Council’s Learning and Development team was excited and grateful to receive the award.
“This is an absolute credit to our training officer Aleisha Catip for all the work she has done with our trainee and apprentice program – a program we are very proud of,” she said.
“Through our ‘Growing Our Own’ initiative we are demonstrating how important pathway learning and upskilling is to our organisation.
“We are also working in collaboration with many external agencies and neighbouring councils to develop a ‘Water Industries’ training package to be delivered in our region.
“This will help to close some of the gaps for regional centres in sourcing training for one of the highest risk areas across the state.”
Councils trainee and apprentice programs are proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government through its First Start program under the Skilling Queenslander for Work initiative.
