Nominations for the 2025 South Australian Training Awards are now open
Nominations are now open for South Australia’s most prestigious vocational education and training (VET) awards.
The South Australian Training Awards recognise the incredible quality, diversity and ingenuity in VET across South Australia, shining a light on the outstanding achievements of students, apprentices and trainees, trainers, training providers, schools, and employers.
Following an exceptional 2024 program, this year’s Awards continue to build on South Australia’s success at the Australian Training Awards, where the state claimed top honours in four categories and secured runner-up positions in three others.
This year’s Awards program sees the inclusion of an award recognising adult community education (ACE) providers – an acknowledgement of the value of foundational skills to a modern, agile workforce.
Individual Awards
- 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
Organisational Awards
- Industry Collaboration
- Small Employer of the Year
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Adult Community Education Provider of the Year
- VET Innovation for Schools
"Over the next five years, nine out of ten jobs will require post-secondary education, with half of those jobs requiring vocational training. A high-performing skills sector is critical to providing a skilled workforce in support of the major, multigenerational projects on the horizon – such as AUKUS, the Torrens to Darlington interchange, and the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The South Australian Training Awards are our state’s most prestigious awards for vocational education and training, and a great way to lift the sector and highlight its importance to the South Australia’s economy." said Min. Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, Training and Skills.
"As the state’s most prestigious awards for VET, the South Australian Training Awards are a fantastic way to showcase the quality of our VET students, educators and organisations across the state. We know that VET qualifications can be transformational in people’s lives, and there’s also a strong and growing demand for them in our workforce – in fact, modelling shows that 53 per cent of future qualifications needed can be gained through vocational education and training. I'm particularly pleased to welcome a new award this year for adult community education providers to recognise the crucial work they do in uplifting foundational skills, helping to remove barriers to learning, and giving more people the opportunity to pursue rewarding careers.
South Australia is also punching above our weight on the national stage when it comes to training the next generation of skilled workers. Last year’s Australian Training Awards saw our state’s representatives bring home the top awards in four categories, and runner-up in three categories – an amazing result, and testament to the important work we are doing here in SA. I encourage you to get involved in this year’s Awards program by nominating yourself or encouraging others to nominate." said Commissioner Cameron Baker, Chair of the SA Skills Commission.
"Winning the South Australian and Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year awards was incredibly meaningful, especially during a challenging time in my life. The South Australian Training Awards has really opened so many doors for me, introducing me to a network of like-minded individuals who share a passion for VET and its impact. Winning an Australian Training Award was life changing – the knowledge and skills I’ve gained will stay with me forever. If you’re thinking about nominating for the 2025 South Australian Training Awards, go for it! It’s an opportunity to build confidence, expand your networks, and showcase the incredible impact of VET, apprenticeships and traineeships." said Lara Wilson, 2024 South Australian Training Awards School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, and Australian Training Awards School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year.
Learn more: How to nominate for the South Australian Training Awards - South Australian Skills Commission
Nominations close at 5pm ACDT Friday 23 May 2025, with judging to take place throughout June and July.