The Cowboys Community Foundation’s Dream, Believe, Achieve program has been named Community Training Initiative of the Year at the 2026 Queensland Training Awards North Queensland regional final.
The award recognises the long-running training and employment program’s success in helping disadvantaged North Queenslanders build skills, gain confidence and move into meaningful employment.
Since 2015, Dream, Believe, Achieve has supported more than 870 participants through accredited vocational training, personalised mentoring and work placements with local employers.
In 2025, Dream, Believe, Achieve supported 93 participants across its Hospitality and Engineering pathways, achieving an overall training completion rate of 69 per cent, with 83 per cent of participants gaining employment across the listed cohorts.
The year also marked the introduction of the program’s Engineering Pathways pilot, developed in response to local industry demand. Its first cohort achieved a 100 per cent completion rate, with 75 per cent of participants moving into employment in the engineering and manufacturing sector.
Dream, Believe, Achieve graduate Shaden McDowell is among the hundreds of North Queenslanders who have taken meaningful steps towards employment through the program.
After leaving school in Year 10 and spending time disconnected from education and employment, Shaden joined the program and progressed into a chef’s apprenticeship with industry partner Twin City Hotel.
“I only made it to Year 10, and I didn’t really like school, so I was doing nothing with my life,” Shaden said.
“When I heard about DBA and found out it was a Cowboys program, I thought, ‘Sign me up’, and now, thanks to Lisa and the DBA team, I have the chance at my dream job.”
Cowboys Community Foundation CEO Fiona Pelling said the award belonged to the participants who had shown the courage to take an opportunity and create a different future for themselves.
“Shaden’s story shows what is possible when someone is given an opportunity and supported to believe in themselves,” Ms Pelling said.
“For Cowboys Community Foundation, this award is not simply about our achievements. It belongs to every participant who has found confidence, built new skills and taken meaningful steps towards employment.
“Being part of those journeys is an enormous privilege, and the reason Dream, Believe, Achieve means so much to our organisation.
“This recognition celebrates the courage of our participants, the care of our team and the commitment of the partners and employers who continue to open doors across North Queensland.”
Ms Pelling also thanked the organisations whose support and expertise make the program possible.
“Dream, Believe, Achieve is proudly presented by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, with accredited training delivered alongside Allara Learning and TAFE Queensland,” she said.
“We also acknowledge the funding support from the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, together with the local employers and industry partners who provide participants with practical experience, mentoring and pathways into employment.
“This award gives us even more reason to keep moving forward together, opening more doors, backing the potential within our communities and empowering North Queenslanders to dream, believe and achieve.”
