Local and national judges are experienced at identifying individuals and organisations that stand out from the crowd - but they don’t know you, so a quality application that is clear and concise and addresses all selection criteria is essential.
Starting your application now gives you as much time as possible to familiarise yourself with the criteria for your category, research, write, reflect, seek feedback and support, and edit your application.
Carefully review the eligibility and selection criteria for your category, as well as the conditions of entry. Ensure you meet them before nominating.
All questions in the selection criteria have been crafted to encourage you to tell the story of your vocational education and training success. What have you done? How have you achieved it? A strong nomination uses practical examples and provides evidence of your achievements.
Consider some of the points you might want to raise and draft dot points outlining what you want to cover under each criterion.
As you build your nomination, show your draft to your employer, a mentor or trainer at your training organisation, a family member or a school VET coordinator – and ask for honest feedback.
You may want to prepare your responses to the selection criteria and save in a Word doc (or equivalent) before copying into the appropriate sections of your online application.
Check the category guidelines to find out how many words you are permitted to use for each criterion and the number of supporting documents you can attach.
Avoid using slang, jargon or too many acronyms. Use plain English and keep your language simple, clear, and concise, and always write in the first person. For example, say ‘I’ or ‘we’ contributed to a project.
Check your application to make sure you have answered all the questions. Ensure you provide new information in each response.
A letter, certificate, qualification, written reference from your employer and/or teacher, trainer, or assessor, testimonial, photograph etc. can add value to your application as evidence of your success.
Make sure you reference attachments in your nomination and make sure you do not exceed the number of attachments permitted for your category.
Ask someone to proofread your application – in particular, to check for spelling and grammar. Once that has been completed, make sure you review the final draft before submitting it.
Make sure you do a final check of your overall nomination; make sure you:
Nominate for the South Australian Training Awards by following these simple steps:
Judging of the South Australian Training Awards is conducted by panels of individuals who have extensive experience in training and industry sectors; each panel is chaired by a member of the South Australian Skills Commission.
To determine the finalists and winners, all nominations are evaluated as follows:
Nominations are evaluated against the eligibility and selection criteria to assess and determine where the nomination is eligible to progress.
Nominations are then assessed to determine which nominations go through to the interview stage.
All nominees will be advised if they have been shortlisted for interview.
Shortlisted nominees are interviewed (in person/or virtually) by the award judging panel.
The judging panel may select up to four finalists, including one winner for the award category.
Finalists are announced ahead of the South Australia Training Awards Gala Presentation.
This award has a specific selection and judging process. Nominations for this award are assessed by the South Australian Skills Commission against the eligibility and selection criteria. A shortlist of candidates is referred to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills for selection of the award winner. Nominees are notified if they have been selected as the recipient of the award and will be presented at the South Australian Training Award Gala Presentation.
Nominations are evaluated against the eligibility criteria and selection criteria to assess and determine if the nomination is eligible to progress.
Nominations are then assessed by the award judging panel who determines which nominations go through to the interview stage.
All nominees are advised if they have been shortlisted for interview.
Arrangements are made with shortlisted nominees for either a face-to-face or virtual interview and/or site-visit by members of the judging panel.
The judging panel validates the written nomination by gathering further information to assist in selecting the award winner.
The judging panel may select up to four finalists, including one winner for the award category.
Finalists are announced ahead of the South Australia Training Awards Gala Presentation.
Please note the written nomination you submit for the 2024 South Australian Training Awards will be the same one that is used for judging for the 2024 Australian Training Awards, should you progress to become a finalist in the national Awards program. Judging will be based on your written application.
Remember: you will be competing with the very best nominees from other states and territories – take the time to prepare a quality nomination.
All award finalists are presented at the South Australia Training Awards Gala Presentation and the winners of each category announced.
The decision of the judging panel is final. No written correspondence will be entered into.
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.
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 or above qualification 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 students 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 collaborations driving exemplary skills development between at least one employer/industry body and at least one organisation delivering nationally recognised vocational education and training.
The Small Employer of the Year Award recognises a small enterprise that has achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to its employees.
Nationally recognised training refers to training based on a national training package or accredited course which results in a person receiving a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment issued by an RTO. This includes Australian apprenticeships.
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 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 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 South Australian Excellence in Diversity Award recognises an organisation who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting students and/or employees in overcoming significant barriers or disadvantage to effectively participate in vocational education and training (VET).
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.