12:00a.m. 5th August 2007

TWO Sunshine Coast employers who have been named as our best for 2007 and will go on to represent the region in the Queensland Training Awards.

The winners were announced last night at the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast region training achievers awards at the Caloundra Cultural Centre.

Employer of the Year went to John Love Electrical in Maroochydore while the Small Employer of the Year title was awarded to Tewantin Amcal Pharmacy.

If they make it through the state finals, they will get the opportunity to become nationally recognised at the Australian awards later this year.

Member for Glass House, Carolyn Male, presented the awards on behalf of Education and Training minister Rod Welford.

She congratulated the winners who will compete for a place at the state final in Brisbane on September 13.

“These finalists are the leading training achievers in the region,” Ms Male said.

“The region is helping to produce highly-skilled Queenslanders who have the right skills and education for the job market.”

Mr Welford said more than 500 nominations were received statewide for this year’s awards.

“Training innovation and success should be celebrated as evidence of the Queensland Government and industry’s joint commitment to overcoming the skills shortage,” he said.

“The $1 billion Queensland Skills Plan aims to ensure the state’s vocational education and training system is world-class and the supply of skilled labour better matches industry needs.”

Traineeship and apprenticeship numbers were on the increase, he said.

“They are increasing at double the national rate and Queensland leads the nation in the number of school-based apprenticeships and traineeships,” he said.

“The employers recognised as regional finalists understand the way to a prosperous future is through the acquisition of cutting-edge skills.”

The Sunshine Coast businesses were the only local winners out of seven categories.

Finalists included Lucinda Marks, of Caloundra, and Shannon Gee of Tewantin, for Apprentice of the Year, Georgina Clutterbcuk from Mooloolah for School-Based Apprentice, and Emma Jones of Alexandra Heads for Trainee of the Year.