Mas National Employers, Apprentices and Partners Shine at Australian Training Awards

Mas National (part of the IntoWork Group) celebrates an exceptional showcase of talent and commitment to vocational education and training. The organisation’s apprentices, employers, and stakeholders across four states earned recognition at the prestigious Australian Training Awards in Darwin on December 5.

Australia’s vocational education and training sector held its pinnacle awards ceremony. Mas-supported apprentices, employers, and partner organisations claimed multiple gold, silver, and bronze awards. They also secured runner-up positions across diverse categories.

Record-Breaking Recognition Across Four States

The success spanned the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, and Queensland. This highlights the breadth and quality of Mas National’s apprenticeship and training support network.

Tasmania Leads with Six Major Honours

Tasmania emerged as a standout performer. Mas apprentices and stakeholders secured six separate honours.

Joshua Fielding: National School-Based Apprentice Winner

Joshua Fielding claimed the Australian School-Based Apprentice or Trainee of The Year Winner title. The 18-year-old has always loved building things. He started as a builder’s labourer at just 13 during school holidays. Joshua now carves out his future as a school-based apprentice carpenter with Top Deck Building. He completes his Certificate III in Carpentry while finishing Year 12.

Stella Quintero: Excellence in LLN Practice

Stella Quintero won the Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award. The passionate educator at Max Solutions leads a team delivering LLN training to disadvantaged learners across Tasmania. Her teaching philosophy centres on social justice. She ensures every student has equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.

Holly Frankcombe: Breaking Barriers in Energy

Holly Frankcombe earned recognition as Apprentice of the Year Runner-Up. The 21-year-old line worker apprentice with TasNetworks earned the title of the company’s most outstanding dual trade apprentice. She also won overall apprentice of the year in 2024. As a multi-skilled tradesperson, Holly completes her Certificate III in ESI Distribution Overhead. She paves the way for women in Tasmania’s energy industry.

“It is the hardest point; sometimes people can judge you,” Holly said. “But it makes me work harder and prove to them that women are able to do the job.”

Tasmania’s Employer and Industry Excellence

Mas supported host businesses also excelled. TasNetworks received Gold in the Large Employer of the Year category. Guildford Young College won Gold for School Pathways to VET. Scala – The Training Company earned Bronze as Small Training Provider of the Year.

The Civil Job Ready Program won Gold in the Industry Collaboration Award. This program represents a collaboration between Civil Contractors Federation and TasTAFE.

South Australia Achieves Three Major Awards

South Australia also demonstrated excellence with three major achievements.

Mikayla Dawson-Sincock: Rising Culinary Star

Mikayla Dawson-Sincock earned the title of Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award Runner-up. The talented young chef undertakes a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery while still in high school. She works as an apprentice chef at Feathers Hotel in Adelaide. Judges crowned Mikayla the 2025 South Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year before her national recognition.

Employer Excellence in South Australia

Bowhill Engineering won Gold as Small Employer of the Year. BHP Olympic Dam received Silver as Large Employer of the Year.

Queensland Celebrates Indigenous Leadership

In Queensland, Dion Sands earned recognition as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award Runner-up. The proud Gunggandji man from Yarrabah combines his training with his role as a Yarrabah Ranger. He uses his skills to protect country and promote Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship.

“Take on every opportunity you have because tomorrow is not promised,” Dion said. This powerful mindset has guided his journey. He completed a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management in 2016. He now serves as Traditional Owner Program Coordinator with Citizens of the Great Barrier Reef.

Employer Murroona Gardens earned Bronze in the Small Employer of the Year category.

Australian Capital Territory Recognises Mental Health Advocacy

The Australian Capital Territory contributed to the success. Shane Vincent achieved Vocational Student of the Year Runner-up. The passionate advocate for mental health inclusion serves as a Volunteer and Inclusion Manager. He combines practical skills and empathy to create more inclusive environments. Judges named Shane the 2025 ACT Vocational Student of the Year.

CEO Statement

Ruth Hundertmark, CEO of Mas National, expressed immense pride in the achievements. “Each winner and runner-up represents countless hours of hard work, perseverance, and passion,” she said. “To see such widespread recognition across four states is truly remarkable. It reflects the quality and impact of vocational education and training across Mas National’s network.”

“We are particularly proud of the diversity of achievements,” she continued. “From individual apprentice excellence to employer leadership and industry collaboration. This demonstrates that success in VET requires a genuine partnership approach. This is exactly what we strive for at Mas National and the wider IntoWork Group.”