Our Partners and Sponsors

VET Innovation for Schools

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

The Department for Education is committed to ensuring all South Australian children and young people learn and thrive within the public education system.

In partnership with educators, families and communities the department nurtures, develops and empowers young South Australians with the knowledge, skills and capabilities they need to become lifelong learners.

Our preschools and schools are the heart of local communities. They are a safe, inclusive and collaborative place where children and young people have their needs, interests, languages and cultures recognised and supported. Within public education, children are encouraged to contribute, develop positive relationships and have a say in their learning.

The department is relentless in its ambition for all children and young people to enter the world beyond the classroom ready to live a satisfying and fulfilling life of their choosing.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

BHP’s Copper South Australia has the potential to be a globally significant ore-to-metal Copper Province with regional smelting and refining at its heart. We currently operate three primary mines – Olympic Dam, Prominent Hill and Carrapateena – linked to a central smelting and refining complex at Roxby Downs. We are also committed to unlocking South Australia’s Copper potential with a strong focus on discovery, including the exciting exploration target Oak Dam.

BHP has a long and proud history in South Australia. We aim to create long-term relationships with Indigenous peoples based on trust and mutual benefit. In South Australia, we engage with Traditional Owners of the lands on which we operate.

We support thousands of jobs, work with many local suppliers in the Upper Spencer Gulf, Far North and Adelaide regions, and generate billions of dollars in taxes, royalties, and export revenues.

Trainee of the Year

Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA), established in 2014, delivers the Australian Government’s Apprenticeship Support Services across all states. With over 400 dedicated staff and 60 locations nationwide, ASA provides high-quality skills development advice and solutions to businesses and jobseekers.

ASA focuses on improving apprenticeship commencement and completion rates by offering comprehensive support throughout the employment cycle. This includes innovative enhancements such as data-informed assessment tools, wellness and professional development programs, and increased mentoring and personal support services. ASA also delivers Specialist Provider Services catering to unique needs. Their careers hub, Skillsroad.com.au offers tools and resources for career planning and job readiness.

ASA provides holistic training advice to employers, helping them access government funding for training, recruit new staff, and offer ongoing coaching and mentoring for apprentices and trainees. From 1 July 2024, ASA expanded its services nationwide, offering more personalised support for apprentices and employers.

VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

SYC has a relentless belief in people and their potential. As a not-for-profit organisation, we invest back into the Australian community, helping tens of thousands of people every year. We empower individuals to gain knowledge, new skills, and valuable experience, with a strong focus on enhancing skills and opening doors to meaningful employment opportunities.

As a Registered Training Organisation for over 20 years, we provide nationally recognised qualifications, skill sets, and pre-employment programs. Our diverse training offerings include qualifications in Construction, Hospitality, Retail, Business, and Foundation Skills.

We also believe apprenticeships are a powerful pathway to a fulfilling career. Through our Apprenticeship Support Services, we help new apprentices from all backgrounds start and sustain their careers, while also working with employers to find the right people for their businesses. We support apprentices across South Australia to gain the skills and experience needed to thrive in their chosen industries.

Vocational Student of the Year

Apprentice Employment Network South Australia (AEN SA) is the peak industry body representing a network of independent, predominately not for profit Group Training Organisations (GTOs) and associated industry stakeholders who support the employment of apprentices and trainees in South Australia.

Our GTO members operate on either an industry or regional basis and are the largest employers of apprentices and trainees in the state, collectively providing high quality skills and employment opportunities for over 4,000 South Australians while supporting the needs of industry and a sustainable apprenticeship and traineeship system within the state.

Industry Collaboration

Adelaide Training and Employment Centre (ATEC) is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming workforce development in South Australia. Over the past 36 years, ATEC has evolved to address enduring unemployment challenges, especially among youth, and to bridge priority trade skills shortages vital to our state’s economic growth.

As the largest private provider of trade apprentices in South Australia, ATEC currently supports over 1,550 apprentices across several priority industries. Our commitment to accessibility extends beyond metropolitan areas—we are mobile in our training and serve regional SA communities, ensuring equitable access to quality trade skills development. ATEC’s training extends into secondary schools across South Australia where we take great pride in helping young people to make informed career decisions, with some even moving into trade training during their year-12 journey.

Small Employer of the Year

The Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors Association of Australia Limited (AMCA) is the peak national industry association for specialist contractors and suppliers operating in the commercial heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. 

AMCA members specialise in the design, fabrication, installation, repair, maintenance and manufacture of HVAC systems, creating safe, healthy and productive indoor spaces for people to live, work and play. Members also contribute to a strong national economy by providing employment across a range of professions and occupations. 

As the home of HVAC, our focus is to help members to build successful and sustainable businesses within a thriving HVAC industry.

Our services include:

• Advocating for the interests of members
• Educating and informing members about important issues and changes
• Workplace relations support
• Leadership on important issues impacting our industry
• Tools and resources to help members run successful businesses and mitigate business risks
• Specialised HVAC training
• Connecting HVAC leaders with like-minded peers

Large Training Provider of the Year

TAFE SA's role as the public provider of vocational education and training (VET) is to ensure all South Australians have access to quality education and skills training across the state.

 With the growth in demand for skills in current, new and emerging industries, the importance of addressing skills shortages and increasing the state’s skilled workforce has never been more important.

It is the programs that TAFE SA delivers to target diverse student cohorts, right across the state that ensures current and future generations have the skills they need.  

 Courses are aligned to the needs of the state’s current and future workforce, ensuring TAFE SA is responsive, relevant and future focused.

TAFE SA’s passionate and dedicated staff are strengthening partnerships with industry to work collaboratively in new and different ways while also working with education providers across Australia, creating an open sharing of knowledge, resources and information. 

Voters' Choice Award

Drakes Supermarkets, the largest independent grocery retailer in Australia, operates over 65 stores across South Australia and Queensland, employing more than 6,000 team members nationwide.

Drakes is committed to creating an inspiring workplace which supports the development of great people. They are always looking for motivated, ambitious, and passionate people to join their team and lead the business into the future. 

Drakes believes in having the right people in the right jobs, enjoying themselves in a safe environment. 

Our mission is to provide our customers with exceptional service, value for money, a great range and an outstanding shopping experience.