Construction industry shines spotlight on Queensland's best, brightest, heavy lifters

THE construction industry may have endured some of its toughest trading conditions over the past few years, but it is skilling and innovating for a very bright future, judging by the 2013 Construction Skills Queensland Excellence Awards results.

Some of the best results were from regions that have weathered some of the most challenging trading conditions, such as the Gold Coast, where a total of four awards were won - Major Training Group as Registered Training Organization of the Year; Usher and Sons Commercial Coatings and McConnell Dowell's Light Rail Project both for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence; and Jon Lea who won the individual Construction Professional of the Year award.

Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) presented the winners of this year's Excellence Awards in front of a crowd of 1000 industry members at a gala event at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday (November 8).

CSQ CEO Brett Schimming said the evening, whose major sponsor is Lend Lease, saw the construction industry come together to honour its best and brightest.

"CSQ would like to congratulate the winners, finalists and nominees of the 2013 Excellence Awards for their exceptional industry achievements over the past year," Mr Schimming said.

"Their contributions to Queensland's building and construction industry are impressive and they are an inspiration to each of us to work harder and continue striving for excellence. 

"Through the exceptional quality of nominations and a sold-out event, this year's Excellence Awards confirms industry leaders are recognising the vital role of training and upskilling for the future growth of the industry," he said.

Mr Schimming said Construction Skills Queensland is an independent industry-funded body supporting employers, workers, apprentices and career seekers in the building and construction industry. CSQ provides the construction industry with strategic insights and data to help plan workforce needs well into the future and these insights are supported with advice and funding assistance through a range of programs and initiatives.

The 2013 Excellence Awards are strongly supported through sponsorship by the indsutry's leading organisations, including Mirvac and dinner sponsor Electrogroup Apprenticeships and Training.

 

Award winners were announced in 12 categories:

Hutchinson Builders Award for Construction School of the Year: St Laurence's College, South Brisbane.

Master Electricians Australia Award for Construction Student of the Year: Andrea Oliveri, Cairns.

The Construction Training Centre Award for Registered Training Organization of the Year: Major Training Group, Gold Coast.

Bechtel Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence (up to $20 million turnover): Usher and Son Commercial Coatings Pty Ltd, Gold Coast.

Major Training Award for Employer Commitment to Training Excellence (over $20 million turnover): McConnell Dowell - Gold Coast Light Rail Project, Gold Coast.

Sarina Russo Apprenticeships Award for Construction Indigenous Person of the Year: Jason Smith, Cairns.

National Association of Women in Construction Award for Construction Female of the Year: Nadia Mendez, Toowong

Civil Contractors Federation Award for Construction Professional of the Year: Jon Lea, Gold Coast.

Training and Assessment Mentor Award for Construction Trainer of the Year: Peter Hopper, Mackay.

Laing O'Rourke Award for Construction Trainee of the Year: Sidney Scarth-Johnson, Brisbane North.

Lend Lease Award for Construction Apprentice of the Year: David Keys, Everton Hills.

Judges Outstanding Achievement Award: Tec- NQ Ltd, Townsville.

www.csq.org.au

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