Two outstanding women hailing from regional Queensland have been applauded for their remarkable contributions to the manufacturing sector at the inaugural Women in Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards, organised by the Queensland Government.
Ainsley Downie, a dedicated apprentice at Central Queensland Rio Tinto, clinched the coveted title of Leading Apprentice of the Year Award for 2024.
As a token of recognition for her outstanding achievements, Downie was presented with a generous cash prize of $10,000.
Downie’s commendable attributes, including her team-oriented approach, exemplary leadership skills, and her penchant for sharing knowledge with her peers, were highly praised by the judging panel.
Another remarkable talent, Aisha Smith, an apprentice at TEi Services in Townsville, was honoured with the Highly Commended award.
Smith’s invaluable contributions to her workplace, characterised by her positive influence and unwavering support for her colleagues, earned her a well-deserved cash prize of $5,000, generously sponsored by Manufacturing Skills Queensland.
The prize money awarded to both Downie and Smith will be utilised for various career-enhancing initiatives such as training programs, procurement of essential tools, uniforms, safety equipment, or participation in career development courses.
Minister for Manufacturing Glenn Butcher highlighted the awards as an avenue to showcase to young women the diverse career opportunities available within the manufacturing sector.
“They embody the purpose of the Strategy. I’ve said it before – you can’t be what you can’t see. That is why promoting the incredible role women are playing in manufacturing is so important. This is all about working to see more women employed in this industry across Queensland,” the minister stated.
Lance McCallum, Minister for Training and Skills Development, reiterated the Miles Government’s commitment to prioritising the inclusion of more women like Downie and Aisha in quality jobs, referencing the Workforce Strategy blueprint aimed at achieving this goal.
McCallum highlighted the substantial growth in the number of Queensland women engaging in apprenticeships and traineeships over the past five years, signalling increasing opportunities for women in various careers statewide.
Meanwhile, Manufacturing Skills Queensland CEO Rebecca Andrews highlighted the significance of the awards in empowering women apprentices to exhibit courage and leadership in the workplace.
“The Highly Commended Awardee, Aisha Smith is a great example of that courage the leadership that the judges were looking for,” Andrews stressed.
She added, “She has looked after her colleagues by encouraging safe conversations and offering support to those around her. She’s an incredible young woman, and well deserving of this award.”
In addition to the winners, finalists including Jess Wilmot from Boyne Smelters in Gladstone and Crystal Ryan from Aurizon in Sarina were also acknowledged for their commendable efforts.
As a token of appreciation, all finalists were awarded a $100 voucher from the renowned workwear brand, TradeMutt.
These awards are part of the broader Women in Manufacturing Strategy, an initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity and diversity within the manufacturing industry.
