The South Australian Training Awards shine as the state’s most prestigious Awards program for VET.
The awards are a fantastic way to showcase the efforts and talents of individuals and organisations across the state who motivate others and contribute to their communities, while building a fulfilling pathway in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Through these awards we want to recognise the incredible quality, diversity and ingenuity in VET across our state.
Participating in the awards is a great opportunity to reflect on your achievements and be recognised for your efforts and commitment to the VET sector. It’s also a great chance to share your story.
Nominations are open to individuals and organisations across a range of award categories.
In 2024, we are expanding the Awards program 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.
In nominating, you join an outstanding group of individuals and organisations making an impact through vocational education and training.
As a winner you will be recognised as the best in the state in your category. Individual categories also receive cash prizes (except for the lifetime achievement award).
All finalists are presented with a certificate and the winners are presented with a trophy at the Gala Presentation.
As an individual or organisation, the Awards are a great opportunity to:
Award winners may also become an ambassador for the South Australian Training Awards and help to promote the awards, speak with media, and participate in further networking opportunities and forums.
South Australian Training Award winners in categories that have a pathway to the Australian Training Awards will have the opportunity to compete against the best from each state for the national title, as well as the accolades and attention that generates!
It all starts with your nomination and telling your story!
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award recognises the achievement of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who is undertaking an apprenticeship, traineeship, or a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
The award recognises the student has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.
The Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to an individual who is undertaking an apprenticeship and has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.
The School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year Award is presented to a student who is undertaking a Certificate II qualification or above as a part time school-based apprentice or trainee. The award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school and in the workplace.
The Trainee of the Year Award is presented to an individual who is undertaking a traineeship and has been outstanding in all aspects of their training.
The Vocational Student of the Year Award recognises an outstanding student’s achievement in a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification.
The VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a trainer or teacher providing nationally recognised training to learners at a registered training organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented in recognition of an individual’s outstanding leadership and contribution to the South Australian VET and skills sector for more than 15 years.
This leadership and contribution may have been linked to an innovation, new knowledge, or ways to improve professional practice deemed to be above and beyond the everyday, with a long-lasting impact within the sector.
The Industry Collaboration Award recognises collaboration driving exemplary skills development between at least one employer and/or industry body and at least one organisation delivering nationally recognised vocational education and training.
The winners of this award are nominated to enter a shortlisting process for the Australian Training Awards.
The Small Employer of the Year Award recognises a small enterprise that has achieved excellence in providing nationally recognised training to its employees.
Nationally recognised training refers to training based on a national training package or accredited course that results in a person receiving a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment issued by an RTO. This includes Australian apprenticeships and traineeships.
The winner of this award is nominated to enter a shortlisting process for the Australian Training Awards.
The Large Employer of the Year Award recognises large businesses and enterprises that have achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to their employees.
The winner of this award is nominated to enter a shortlisting process for the Australian Training Awards.
The Small Training Provider of the Year Award recognises small registered training organisations (RTOs) that offer a range of training products and services, and that demonstrate excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.
The winner of this award is nominated to enter a shortlisting process for the Australian Training Awards.
The Large Training Provider of the Year Award recognises large registered training organisations (RTOs) that offer a range of training products and services, and that demonstrate excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.
The winner of this award are nominated to enter a shortlisting process for the Australian Training Awards.
The VET Innovation for Schools Award recognises excellence in schools that are developing innovative and new mechanisms for encouraging VET pathways in their schools so that their models and programs can be publicised and shared with schools across the state.
Please note this is a South Australia-only award category. Nominees are encouraged to consider submitting a direct entry to the Australian Training Awards (ATA) in the School Pathways to VET Award category.
The South Australian Excellence in Diversity Award recognises an organisation that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting students and/or employees in overcoming significant barriers or disadvantage to effectively participate in VET.
Please note this is a South Australia-only award category. Winners of this category are not nominated for the Australian Training Awards.
Date | What's happening | |
25 March 2024 | Nominations open | |
| 24 May 2024 | Nominations close | |
| June - July 2024 | Judging process | |
| August 2024 | Awards finalists announced | |
| 25 September 2024 | South Australian Training Awards Gala Dinner | |
| November 2024 | Professional Development workshops for individual winners in preparation for the Australian Training Awards | |
| 6 December 2024 | Australian Training Awards, Canberra |
You can nominate for the South Australian Training Awards by following some simple steps.
Learn about the selection process and discover helpful tips to prepare your application.
Explore our past winners, read about their experiences and take inspiration from their achievements.
The Australian Training Awards are the peak national awards that showcase best practice in vocational education and training (VET).