Karen Johnston – CEO Tabma QLD

About Me: I returned to Australia in late January 2008 from two years overseas; travelling through the UK and Europe since November 2007, and the 19 months before that teaching in, and managing English language schools in Japan. No, I don’t speak Japanese fluently – not knowing what was going on was half the fun! Great times and challenges galore, but I am a bit sick of eating rice! Prior to wandering about the world I worked at Gunnersen Pty Ltd for three years and in real estate; primarily doing marketing, training, administration, recruitment and coordinating. I have Bachelor of Business (Management) and Bachelor of Arts degrees, and I love to help other people achieve success, and have a good laugh while we do it!

My Goals at TABMA (QLD): What’s on the agenda?Parties of course! We always have upcoming networking and information events to host as well as industry training sessions to plan. I’ll be working hard with Alicia in our mission to provide the industry with highly skilled employees through the highly cost effective apprenticeships and traineeships we coordinate. There are also opportunities to increase our package of membership benefits and services, as well as our membership base throughout the Queensland timber industry. If there are any services or information that, as association and/or industry members, you wish for TABMA to provide, please feel welcome to give me a call and we can chat about what is needed over coffee!

Alicia Oelkers – Group Training & Recruitment Manager

About Me: After finishing University where I completed a Bachelor of Business Communications Degree, I moved to London where I lived, worked and travelled for a little over two years. When I returned home, I worked for a Disability Employment Network where I helped jobseekers with employment barriers get ready for and get into employment. My role was both very challenging and rewarding. I left there to finish my travels overseas, and to embark on a new journey with new challenges. And here I am!

My goals at TABMA (QLD): I plan to continue and build on the success that TABMA QLD has already established. I hope to be your first call when you need staff, and to help out with any issues you may have with Group Training. Over the coming months we will be promoting careers in the timber industry to schools and the community with a focus on apprenticeships and traineeships.

We need industry to support our traineeship and apprenticeship programs to enable us to continue to provide this valuable service. If you or anyone you know is looking for new recruits please contact us or forward our details- we guarantee we will do our best to provide you with the best possible service and candidates.

Jaimie-Lee Ratcliffe– Office Administrator

About Me:  Hi Everyone. I'm Jaimie and the newest member to the QLD TABMA team. I am currently a trainee Office Administrator studying my Certificate III in Business. I moved from working in the busy and demanding retail world to the business world to open up my options with what I can do with my career in the future. I am still unsure about how far in the business industry I would like to go at the moment, but I know if I work hard, the sky is the limit. I am very lucky that the Ladies in the office are lovely and very helpful! I look forward to the year to come and hopefully many more.

My goals at TABMA (QLD): Complete my certificate III and keep on with the company in the future.