Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

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 national qualification, and who has been outstanding in aspects of their training and demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning for themselves and their community.

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Eligibility criteria

You must:

  • identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent
  • be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia
  • have completed or be due to complete your training in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification, and
  • meet the criteria of the School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year award, the Vocational Student of the Year award, the Apprentice of the Year award or the Trainee of the Year award.

2023 state winners of this category are automatically nominated for the Australian Training Awards.

Preparing your application

Section A: Overview

This information will not be considered or used for judging purposes, but it may be used as your summary throughout the Awards process.

Provide a short overview covering a description of the qualification you are enrolled in, your registered training organisation and employer and host employer (if applicable) as well as your reason for choosing the industry and training path.

(limit: 300 words)

Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria

  • Criterion 1: Career and study achievements
  • Criterion 2: Team and communication skills
  • Criterion 3: Ability to be an ambassador (representative) for training in Australia
  • Criterion 4: Community engagement

Addressing the criteria

In your application, you must present information in a way that clearly addresses the award criteria. The judging panel will look for evidence of how your training has contributed to your career and study plans, the development of your skills and your achievements to date, as well as any way in which your training may have helped you to engage with the community.

The dot points listed under each criterion give you an idea of what to include in your application.

Consider things such as:

  • why did you choose your course
  • how has it changed or impacted on you
  • what have you gained from it
  • have you had to address any challenges that have impacted on your training

(limit: 400 words)

Consider any skills you have developed through your training, such as:

  • what you have been able to tell others, students, friends etc about your training
  • what you like about working in a team setting
  • what traits you think are important to positively influence others

(limit: 400 words)

Tell us about and provide examples of:

  • where you have taken a leadership role inside or outside of work
  • other activities you have been involved in where you have been a representative
  • how you would describe the quality of your training

(limit: 400 words)

You may wish to include information about:

  • how you are connected with your community/extended family
  • how the training has impacted on your community
  • the qualities you have or activities you have been involved in that you feel would be useful in your role as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
  • your achievements in areas other than study and work

(limit: 400 words)

Up to five (5) single sided A4 page attachments are permitted, with each attachment to be provided at a 100 per cent ratio, one document per page. Attachments can be a letter, certificate, qualification, written reference from your employer and/or lecturer, testimonial or photograph etc. They can add real value to your application and support you to evidence your success.

Attachments must be referenced in your application. No multimedia items or discs will be accepted, and any material exceeding the maximum number of attachments (5) will not be considered.

Applications have now closed for the 2023 South Australian Training Awards

  • 17 April 2023 - Applications open
  • 11 June 2023 - Applications close 6pm
  • July 2023 - Judging
  • 21 September 2023 - South Australian Training Awards celebration event
  • 17 November 2023 - Australian Training Awards presentation event (Hobart)