Nominations open for Queensland’s Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards 2025

The Queensland government has opened nominations for the second Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards, with winners to be announced on March 7 at an event to coincide with International Women’s Day.

According to a statement from state manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher on Friday, the annual awards “celebrate Queensland’s leading female apprentices who demonstrate strong leadership capabilities in the workplace.”

The awards will be held at the Women in Manufacturing event in Brisbane. The top prize (Leading Apprentice Award) is $10,000 and the runner-up prize is $5,000 (Highly Commended Apprentice Award), with prize money supporting the cost of “items such as tools, uniforms, education or career development courses.”

Last year’s top award was won by Rio Tinto apprentice, Ainsley Downie.

“I’m really proud to be part of a government that recognises outstanding women apprentices – these women are fantastic role models,” said manufacturing minister Glenn Butcher.

“These awards are an opportunity to show young women there are career opportunities in manufacturing.”

The awards are part of the state government’s Women in Manufacturing Strategy.

“Manufacturing Skill Queensland is excited to support the Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards for a second year. Last year I was impressed with the calibre of the young women who applied for the award,” said MSQ CEO, Rebecca Andrews.

Application information can be seen here. Nominations close August 14.

Picture: credit Queensland government

Further reading

Queensland introduces annual Women in Manufacturing Apprentice Awards