Nominations open for the 2019 Australian Training Awards

The stars of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector have until the end of May to put their entry in for the 2019 Australian Training Awards (ATAs).

Apprentices, trainees, VET students and teachers, businesses and training providers will be recognised in the sector’s night of nights, with 18 awards to be presented, seven of which are available by direct entry to the national awards.

Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Michaelia Cash said the Australian Training Awards in November are all about recognising the excellence and professionalism in VET in Australia.

“A vocational education is important to our economy and offers the ability to be work ready from day one,” Minister Cash said.

“The Australian Training Awards are an important way of demonstrating the valuable contribution the VET sector makes to individuals, businesses and our community, not to mention the nations prosperity,” Minister Cash said.

“The Awards also highlight the excellent opportunities through VET qualifications to build a career; because it offers real skills for real careers.

“It is truly the highlight of the VET sector in Australia.

“The Australian Government believes in a strong VET sector, investing over $3 billion in the sector annually to meet Australia’s skills needs.”

The deadline for entering the 2019 Australian Training Awards for direct entry categories is 31 May, with state and territory authorities to select finalists for the remaining categories later this year.

The awards will be presented at a dinner in Brisbane on 21 November.

The award categories are:

·         Lifetime Achievement Award (Direct entry)

·         National Achievement Award (Direct entry)

·         Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award (State/Territory entry)

·         Vocational Student of the Year Award (State/Territory entry)

·         Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Trainee of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Apprentice of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award (Direct entry)

·         Small Employer of the Year Award (Direct Entry for NSW and WA only)

·         Medium Employer of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Large Employer of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Industry Collaboration Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Australian Apprenticeships - Employer Award (Direct Entry)

·         International Training Provider of the Year Award (Direct Entry)

·         Small Training Provider of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         Large Training Provider of the Year Award (State/Territory Entry)

·         School Pathways to VET Award (Direct Entry)