Redcliffe Hospital school-based trainee Jasper Malthouse has taken home two regional awards as part of this year’s Queensland Training Awards.

A proud Mbabaram woman, Jasper was incredibly surprised to win both the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for the Metropolitan region.

“I was already so pleased just to be a finalist, but then to win two awards was such an amazing feeling after all of the hard work,” Jasper said.

“As soon as I heard that I had won I told my school, friends and family the exciting news.

“I am beyond grateful to the staff and my supervisors who supported me and taught me the skills I needed to get to where I am now. It feels like their hard work is paying off.”

The Bracken Ridge High School student said the traineeship was the perfect learning pathway and helped to lay the foundations of what her future career in nursing looks like.

“I chose the school-based traineeship because it provided me with experiences that many people do not get to have until university,” Jasper said.

“I was taught skills through a hands-on learning approach and put in many unfamiliar and unpredictable situations.

“I had to learn to adapt, become resilient and problem solve in a way I’d never had to before.

“Moving through the different hospital wards gave me a real idea of what I enjoyed most and what specialties I can consider for my future in nursing.”

Redcliffe Hospital’s Education and Youth Coordinator Kylie Boccuzzi is consistently amazed with the calibre of trainees coming onboard to learn new skills.

“All of our student trainees are incredibly hard working and a pleasure to have in the hospital,” she said.

“I love being able to watch their confidence grow and to see the changes within them.

“The traineeship program allows us to give back to the community. and with local students on board bring it even closer together.

“For the students it can really help cement their career pathways and give them the focus and drive needed to get them through their tertiary studies.”

With her two regional wins Jasper is now looking ahead to the state finals. If successful there she will be in the running for the national award due to be announced in November 2021.