Five senior St James College students were named regional finalists across multiple categories in the Queensland Training Awards with two winners emerging who will now contest state winner status in their respective categories.

Year 12 student Jorja Ealson won the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander category, and college Vice Captain Keiriana Dargin-Clark was named winner of the Equity Student of the Year Category.

Further, Dargin-Clark was a finalist in an additional two categories, School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year and Equity Student of the Year - a remarkable achievement.

The annual vocational education and training event was held at Brisbane City Hall and celebrates the state's best and brightest students and training organisations.

Year 12 students Mazn Adam and Andre Robson were finalists in the Vocational Student of the Year category, with Tashaun Button-Wright, Keiriana Dargin-Clark and Jorja Ealson as finalists in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category.

Principal Ann Rebgetz said it was an honour for five students to reach the regional finals from a pool of over 800 student entries.

“It absolutely speaks of the quality of our school programs, opportunities and partnerships, along with the support of industry partners, home and school,” Principal Rebgetz said.

This stage of the competition leads to further judging for Keiriana and Jorja, which will be announced at the state finals dinner on 9 September with winners in aligned categories progressing to compete for national titles at the Australian Training Awards. 

Watch this space.  #QTA2023 #SkillsPower

St James College Regional Finalists in the Queensland Training Awards:

Vocational Student of the Year category
Mazn Adam, Certificate III in Fitness Andre Robson, Certificate I in Construction 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year category
Jorja Ealson, Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care – Regional Winner and Finalist
Tashaun Button-Wright, Certificate II in Sport Coaching
Keiriana Dargin-Clark, Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year category
Keiriana Dargin-Clark, Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance 

Equity Student of the Year category
Keiriana Dargin-Clark, Certificate II in Sport Coaching – Regional Winner and Finalist