Our Partners and Sponsors

VET Innovation for Schools

School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

With more than 900 sites across South Australia, the Department for Education aims to ensure public education unlocks every child’s potential now and in the future.

Our preschools and schools are the heart of local communities. They are safe, inclusive and collaborative places where every child and young person is encouraged to contribute, develop positive relationships, have a say in their learning, and where their needs, interests, languages and cultures are recognised and supported.

Educators work in partnership with families and communities to nurture, develop and empower all South Australian children and young people with the knowledge, skills and capabilities they need to become fulfilled individuals, active, compassionate citizens, and lifelong learners.

We are relentless in our ambition for all children and young people to enter the world beyond the classroom ready to learn, thrive and create opportunities.

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) is a trusted local Apprentice Connect Australia Provider delivering apprenticeship support services across South Australia. With offices in Adelaide, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln and Mount Gambier, ASA provides tailored, community‑based support to apprentices and employers, working closely with local industries and communities across the state.

Its proactive model boosts commencements and completions while supporting First Nations apprentices, women in trades, and Clean Energy careers. ASA’s outreach campaigns, school partnerships, and mentoring programs have strengthened local engagement and workforce diversity.

As a trusted link between apprentices and employers, ASA delivers guidance, mentoring, and administrative support to build a skilled, inclusive workforce aligned with South Australia’s future needs.

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 committed to advancing workforce development across South Australia. For more than 37 years, we have continually adapted to respond to persistent unemployment challenges — particularly among young people — while helping address critical trade skill shortages essential to the 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.

Small Training Provider of the Year

Mayfield Group Holdings (ASX: MYG), established in 1936, is proud to sponsor the Small Training Provider of the Year Award, recognising the vital contribution training providers make in developing South Australia's skilled workforce and strengthening Australia's future.

Mayfield designs, manufactures and services critical electrical infrastructure that supports Australia's energy transition, defence, mining, data centres and major infrastructure projects. Through its businesses — Mayfield Industries, BE Switchcraft, SMEC Power & Technology, ATI Australia and Power Parameters — Mayfield delivers innovative solutions that power essential industries across the country.

People are at the heart of Mayfield's success. The Group is committed to creating opportunities through apprenticeships, technical training, leadership development and meaningful career pathways that help individuals build rewarding, long-term careers in manufacturing and engineering.

Mayfield believes that investing in skills today creates stronger industries, stronger communities and a stronger Australia tomorrow. By partnering with education and training providers, the Group continues to build capability, support innovation and develop the talented workforce Australia's future depends on.

Large Training Provider 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.

Large Employer 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 greater.

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 and is 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 job and has roles across all its supermarket sites, warehousing facilities and within its head office services areas. People are the core of the Drakes business and without them our customers wouldn’t get the world-class service they deserve and get when shopping in our stores.

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