Nominations for SA Training Awards now open

Nominations for the South Australian Training Awards are now open, recognising the achievements of the state’s best vocational education and training (VET) students, apprentices and trainees, trainers, training providers, schools and employers.

The Awards program has been expanded this year with the introduction of the Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises an individual’s outstanding leadership and contribution to the South Australian VET and skills sector for more than 15 years. The new award highlights the enormous contribution that many make to the sector, above the everyday, with a long-lasting impact.

“More than ever before, our TAFE and vocational training sector is critical to giving South Australians the skills they need for the jobs they want,” SA Education Minister Blair Boyer said.

“Events such as the South Australian Training Awards highlight vocational training as an equal pathway that leads to high-quality, secure jobs – while building our state’s future.”

Individual Awards include: 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
• Apprentice of the Year
• School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year
• Trainee of the Year
• Vocational Student of the Year
• VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement Award

The Organisational Awards categories are: 

• Industry Collaboration
• Small Employer of the Year
• Large Employer of the Year
• Small Training Provider of the Year
• Large Training Provider of the Year
• Excellence in Diversity
• VET Innovation for Schools

“We have a big job ahead of us to significantly increase our skilled workforce to meet the demands of our emerging defence industry and other areas of growth in our state,” Mr Boyer added.

“Our investments in the wider skills sector will help us to meet the demands of the exciting period of growth ahead of us and it’s important that along that journey, we recognise the outstanding talents of those in the sector.”

The Award program also includes a Voters’ Choice Award which is presented to the public’s favourite individual finalist.

Nominations close on 24 May, with judging to take place throughout June and July. Winners will be announced on 25 September at the 2024 South Australian Training Awards Gala Presentation, before the national 2024 Australian Training Awards Presentation in Canberra on 6 December.

Winners of the SA Awards will be announced at a Gala Presentation in September.

For more information about applying, visit www.trainingawards.sa.gov.au