Donald Keast of Oxley Insurance Brokers has won the first NIBA College trainee of the year award.

He completed the Certificate III in Insurance Broking last financial year, and is entering the profession after a previous career in business banking.

Mr Keast is based at Oxley’s Kempsey office in NSW.

His prize includes attendance at the National Insurance Brokers Association Convention in Adelaide next month, $250 in cash and financial support to upgrade his qualification.

QBE sponsors the NIBA College trainee of the year and student of the year awards, both based on academic performance.

The student of the year will be announced at the convention. The finalists are Samantha Forkas of Willis in Victoria, Rebecca Haines from Strathearn in NSW and Brendan Zanoni of OAMPS in Queensland.