We couldn’t be prouder of Skills Generation student and Logan City Council Trainee Ruby Barr who has been selected as a finalist for the South East Region (Gold Coast, Logan, Redlands, Scenic Rim) in the hotly contested Bob Marshman Trainee of the Year Category of the 2025 Queensland Training Awards.
Loving her work as a Trainee Animal Services Attendant and studying ACM30122 Certificate III in Animal Care Services, Ruby is gaining the skills and experience she needs to pursue her career goal, to become an Animal Management Officer.
A passion for animals has always featured in Ruby’s life, she began riding horses at five years old and was competitive in show jumping for 10 years. Her love for all animals big and small motivated her strong desire for a career working with animals.
As can so often be the case with life though, Ruby was confronted with challenges that impacted her education and career pathway. As a young woman suffering mental health challenges, she made the difficult decision to leave school in Grade 10, and at the age of 15 found herself living independently and entering the workforce. Facing initial set-backs when attempting to secure work in veterinary nursing, she found work in hospitality, negotiated unemployment during the COVID 19 pandemic, and then found a place as a young woman in a traditionally male-dominated field working in the heavy machinery hire industry. Her hard work and commitment to this role saw her gain a 12-month mentorship with the Hire and Rental Industry Association’s Women in Hire program, where she was honoured to be named Australia’s Mentee of the Year, followed by promotion to Branch Manager, requiring her to relocate 1,100 km for the role.
Despite the new direction Ruby’s life had taken, she always knew that she would find her way back to working with animals, and when she discovered the Logan City Council’s Traineeship in Animal Management on Seek.com she recognised it as the opportunity she had been waiting for.
Ruby said that making the decision to take on a Traineeship later in life has been one of the hardest and simultaneously most rewarding experiences she has faced. “Stepping down from a leadership role into a trainee role was challenging and facing financial pressure that comes with earning a trainee wage can be discouraging, so it’s important to ensure you’re always looking ahead at the bigger picture” she said.
“This traineeship has become the most fulfilling step in my career journey, it has allowed me to combine my passion for animals with my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. My diverse experiences have given me a deep sense of empathy, and I am committed to making a positive impact by educating the community on responsible pet ownership,” Ruby said.
Ruby attributes her success to the support she receives from her Skills Generation Animal Care Trainer Nicole, and to her supervisor and colleagues in the City Safety and Liveability Branch of Logan City Council, but they say the credit all goes to Ruby. According to Nicole, as a student Ruby is enthusiastic, proactive and passionate. “Ruby has communicated very well throughout her Traineeship, and it is a pleasure to be her trainer for this course. I believe with Ruby’s positive attitude and determination, that she will excel in her chosen pathway in the future,” Nicole said. Her employer is equally proud of Ruby and the way she goes above and beyond in any task she applies herself to, and the warmth and passion she brings to the team.
The significance of Ruby’s selection as one of three finalists for the South East region from a pool of 743 nominees for Trainee of the Year cannot be overstated. This is highly deserved recognition of a student who is outstanding in all aspects of her training and is acknowledgement of Ruby’s dedication, skill, and the positive impact she is making through Vocational Education and Training. The winners of the Training Awards for the South East region will be announced at the 2025 State Award Ceremony to be held on 11 July 2025 at The Glasshouse, The Island Gold Coast.
We congratulate Ruby and are cheering her on for success in the Trainee of the Year final of the Queensland Training Awards 2025!
If you would like to learn more about the transformative power of skills and how you can use it to achieve your personal career goals, see Traineeships and Courses for more information, or Contact Us.
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