CQU wins two major categories at Queensland Training Awards Final

By Greg Chapman

CQUniversity Australia’s reputation as a leader in vocational education and training (VET) has been bolstered after winning the two major categories at the 2025 Queensland Training Awards State Final.

CQU was named Large Training Provider of the Year at the awards at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 13 September, while Metal Fabrication teacher Andrew Abbas took out the Vet Teacher or Trainer of the Year category.

Acting Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Michelle Bellingan said the awards were a “significant achievement” for the University.

“It’s also a wonderful recognition of our VET staff, who work tirelessly to deliver high-quality training and education to more than 10,000 VET students across CQUniversity,” Prof Bellingan said.

“It also reflects the outstanding industry engagement of our teachers and industry partnerships team. VET is vital to our regions, and this award is a testament to the extraordinary contribution of our people.”

Prof Bellingan also acknowledged and congratulated Andrew on his win.

“This incredible individual recognition highlights Andrew’s more than two decades as a VET educator, his mentorship and leadership within apprenticeship programs and VET in Schools courses at our Emerald Campus, his engagement with the resources sector, and his contribution to regional partnerships and education quality,” she said.

CQU Deputy Vice-President for VET Operations Peter Heilbuth said the award was a tremendous recognition for the hard work of the University’s VET staff.

“CQU’s VET staff should feel very proud of this achievement, not only for the recognition of Large Training Provider of the Year – which we last won in 2019 – but also for Andrew, who is a prime of example of all of our fantastic teachers and trainers,” he said.

Andrew has 20 years’ experience as a VET educator, leading apprenticeship programs and VET in Schools courses at the Emerald Campus. 

He mentors students from diverse backgrounds and implements innovative teaching methods. Andrew’s contributions to an apprentice program in the resources sector and regional partnerships promote quality education and community engagement across the VET sector.

Andrew said he saw the award as an opportunity to continue to promote the benefits of vocational education.

“Apart from being very grateful and humbled as the recipient of the award and as someone who has always advocated and championed for VET, I feel the award has made provision for me to now become an ambassador for VET,” he said.

Andrew will now progress as a finalist in the 2025 Australian Training Awards, to be held later this year.

CQU also congratulated the three CQU-trained students, Chloe Hutchinson, Kylie Johnston and Maddison Petrie who were finalists in the Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year categories respectively. 

For more information on all the winners and finalists visit https://desbt.qld.gov.au/training/qta/winners-and-finalists/state-winners-finalists