Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I apply or nominate someone for an award?

The NSW Training Awards are the premier awards for vocational education and training in NSW. They are also a great way to receive recognition for your efforts in training people or being trained.

For organisations, the NSW Training Awards provide great networking opportunities for finalists and the possibility to showcase your organisation to the people in your region and throughout NSW. Any level of success in the NSW Training Awards raises the profile of your organisation and the awareness in the industry of your commitment to excellence.

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Do copies of certificates or other documents need to be certified?

No. Plain photocopies are acceptable, as long as the information on the documents can be read.

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What counts to the limit of pages that can be submitted?

The page limit starts from the form. The introduction, selection criteria, etc. do not form part of this page limit. Attachments do count to this limit, so if you have more than the page limit, put your most important attachments first.

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Who can nominate me for an award?

Apprentices, trainees, school-based apprentices/trainees can be nominated by their training provider or employer (or host employer if they are working for a group training organisation).

Vocational students can be nominated by their training provider only.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can be nominated by their training provider or employer (or host employer if they are working for a group training organisation) if they are an apprentice, trainee.

VET in Schools Students can be nominated by their training provider or their employer.

VET Trainer/Teacher nominees can be nominated by their students, colleagues, employer or other industry group.

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Can an individual nominate themselves?

Self nomination for individuals is allowed in the VET Trainer/Teacher category only. Note that we still require the entry form to be endorsed by a training provider or employer.

Self nomination in the Apprentice, Trainee, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Student, Vocational Student, School Based Apprentice/Trainee and VET in Schools Student of the Year is not allowed.

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How many awards can I apply for or be nominated for?

For individual awards, you can only be nominated for one category. If you are nominated for more than one category, we will contact your nominator and clarify  what award is to be selected.

Organisations can apply for more than one award, provided that the eligibility criteria of those awards are met. Note that we do not accept multiple applications for the same award.

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Is there any cost involved in entering the NSW Training Awards?

No, other than your time and effort. The NSW Training Awards do not charge any application fee.

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I am of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. Which Award should i apply for?

That's up to you.

As long as you meet the criteria for the relevant Award, you can choose to enter either the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year or the Apprentice, Trainee or Vocational Student of the Year.
Note: you cannot enter in both categories (i.e. both Trainee of the Year and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year).

If you are an of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and undertaking a School Based Apprenticeship/Traineeship or a VET course as part of your HSC, you cannot apply for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year, you must apply for the School Based Apprentice/Trainee or VET in Schools Student of the Year.

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How do I know if I am eligible for an award?

You can quickly view the eligibility criteria in this section of our website. The how to enter section contains information packs with application forms. Each pack has specific information relating the eligibility for that award. Should something not be entirely clear, please contact us.

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What can I win?

At both regional as well as the state level there are many good prizes. The prizes vary per region but include cash prizes and certificates.

Though these are good, nothing beats the fact that you can call yourself one of the best apprentices, trainees or vocational students in the state.

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Do I get my picture in the paper if I win?

Both winners and finalists should be very proud of their achievements. Many of our regions have media coverage around their Awards presentation events. This means that you could have your achievements recognised in local media.

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If I/we are a State finalist or State winner, can we advertise this?

State finalists and winners can request copies of the logos NSW Training Awards for their specific award.

The NSW Training Awards will provide a jpg for digital use and an eps file for print use. All we ask in return is a copy of the publication.

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Can I request feedback on my application/nomination if I am not successful?

Yes. Please send an email to the NSW Training Awards team on nswtrainingawards@det.nsw.edu.au with your name, current contact details (preferably a mobile phone number) and the Training Awards ID which can be found on the letter from us advising you that we received your entry.

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When will I receive feedback?

Feedback is provided by the chair of the selection panel that looked at your entry. We try to accommodate feedback requests quickly, but we cannot guarantee a speedy reply.

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Can I nominated more than one person?

There is no limit to the number of apprentices, trainees, students or trainers you can nominate.

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What's a Group Training Organisation/GTO?

Group Training is an employment and training arrangement where a Group Training Organisation (GTO) acts as the primary employer to apprentices and trainees and then hires them out to other businesses known as ‘host employers’, whilst they are undertaking their formal training.

If you're filling in a nomination form and are unsure if you are employed by a GTO, please talk to the person that is nominating you or ring State Training Services on 13 28 11. Make sure you have your Training Contract ID number handy.

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I completed my training contract sooner than expected, can I still be nominated?

Competency based completion (often referred to as "early completion") is a great thing. In general, it means that you excelled at your trade or vocation and that you picked up the skills required a lot quicker than anticipated.

The eligibility criteria speak of specific timeframes. For 2012, the completion date of the training must fall between 1 October 2011 and 30 September 2012. We allow you to be nominated if either the actual completion date of your training or your original completion date (as mentioned on the approval letter from State Training Services for apprentices or trainees) or on the documentation  from the training provider (for vocational students).

Note that if you are an apprentice, trainee or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander apprentice or trainee and you are applying for competency based completion, you must lodge the application form before entering the 2012 NSW Training Awards.

If you completed earlier than this or have any questions, contact us and we can provide you with an answer.

 

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Can I enter again this year, even though I applied or was nominated last year?

The rules state that you may only be nominated once for a training contract.
This means that you cannot be nominated for the same apprenticeship, traineeship or vocational course twice.

There are exceptions to this rule. If you progress to the next level training, for example:

You were nominated for the 2010 NSW Trainee of the Year as you did a traineeship in Certificate III in Business. You have since completed this traineeship and progressed to a Certificate IV in Business (Legal Administration). You can be nominated for the 2011 NSW Trainee of the Year as it is a different training contract.

You were nominated for a 2009 NSW School-Based Apprentice (you were in year 12 then). Now, you are due to complete your apprenticeship in March 2012. You can be nominated for the 2012 NSW Apprentice of the Year as this is a different category.

For the VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Award, the rules differ slightly. Winners of the 2011 regional VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year cannot be nominated in 2012.

Organisations can apply again each year, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

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Where do I find info about the award?

The selection criteria and information about the awards are part of the application packs for the awards. You can download a PDF document on the how to enter page.

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I finished my training contract, have moved to another employer, can I still be nominated?

Yes, you can be nominated by your previous employer or by your training provider.

If your new employer was not part of the training contract, we cannot accept a nomination from them. If you transferred to this employer before completing your training contract, you can be nominated by them.

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What happens after I have been nominated?

All nominations for individual awards are sorted and provided to committees in the Department’s nine State Training Services regional offices. These committees assess the nominations and may interview the student at either the office or the student’s workplace.

Successful nominees are invited to a regional Training Awards presentation function. Winners of the main categories at these regions are interviewed in Sydney and will compete for the NSW Training Awards.

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When do I find out if I am shortlisted or if I have won?

After the closing date for nominations, the NSW Training Awards sorts the nominations and forwards them to the 11 promotional committees. All committees assess the nominations and will get in contact with you.

You will be advised in writing about the progress of your nomination.

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If I win at a regional event, what's next?

Winners of the major Awards (Apprentice, Trainee, School-Based Apprentice/Trainee, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student, Vocational Student, VET in Schools Student and VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year) will be invited to attend an interview in Sydney.

These interviews will be held in middle to late July.

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