Eligibility and selection criteria

The eligibility requirements and selection criteria for the NSW Training Awards, individual and organisation award categories.

Find the eligibility and selection criteria for Individual Awards below.

Apprentice of the Year

The NSW Apprentice of the Year Award is presented to an apprentice who has been outstanding in all aspects of their training and demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia and undertaking training in New South Wales;
  • have completed*, or due to complete their training between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024 in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to this award;
  • have a registered training contract with the NSW Department of Education;
  • not still be enrolled in school;
  • only be nominated by one nominator, either their Registered Training Provider; or employer; GTO or Apprenticeship Network Provider
  • supply their Training Contract ID (TCID) number. If you do not know your TCID number, contact your local regional office on 13 28 11; and
  • not be nominated in subsequent years for the same training contract.

*Note: this refers to the completion date on the training contract. If the nominee has completed early through competency-based completion, evidence of this early completion must be attached to the online application.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download NSW Apprentice of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Trainee of the Year

The NSW Trainee of the Year is presented to a trainee who has been outstanding in all aspects of their training and demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia and undertaking training in New South Wales;
  • have completed*, or due to complete their training between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024 in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to this award;
  • have a registered training contract with the NSW Department of Education;
  • not still be enrolled in school;
  • only be nominated by one nominator, either their Registered Training Provider; or employer; GTO or Apprenticeship Network Provider
  • supply their Training Contract ID (TCID) number. If you do not know your TCID number, contact your local regional office on 13 28 11; and
  • not be nominated in subsequent years for the same training contract.

*Note: this refers to the completion date on the training contract. If the nominee has completed early through competency-based completion, evidence of this early completion must be attached to the online application.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Trainee of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Vocational Student of the Year

The NSW Vocational Student of the Year Award recognises an outstanding student’s achievement in a course of study leading to a nationally recognised qualification and demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia;
  • be a resident of New South Wales;
  • be a full-time or part-time student who is not undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship;
  • have completed*, or due to complete, their vocational studies between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024, in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification;
  • only be nominated by their registered training provider or employer; and
  • not be nominated in subsequent years for the same qualification.

*Note: this refers to the completion date on the vocational course/certificate. If the nominee has completed early through competency-based completion, evidence of this early completion must be attached to the online application.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Vocational Student of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

The NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Award recognises the achievement of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student who displays a strong understanding and knowledge of the vocational education and training system and demonstrates the relevance of lifelong learning for themselves and their community.

Nominees must:

  • identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
  • have completed*, or be due to complete their training or vocational studies between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024 in a training course that leads to a nationally recognised outcome or qualification relevant to this award;
  • have a registered training contract with the NSW Department of Education** and must supply their Training Contract ID (TCID) number
    or, be a full-time or part-time student;
  • not still be enrolled in school^;
  • only be nominated by one nominator, either their registered training provider, employer, GTO, Apprenticeship Network Provider or school; and
  • not be nominated in subsequent years for the same qualification.

Note:

*Refers to the completion date on the training contract/vocational course. If the nominee has completed early or through competency-based completion, evidence of this early completion must be attached to the online application.

**If you are an Apprentice, Trainee or School-based Apprentice/Trainee.

^Unless you are a School-based Apprentice/Trainee.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

The NSW School-based Apprentice/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/Trainee. The Award recognises the student’s commitment to their formal studies at school, and in the workplace.

To be eligible for this award, the nominee must currently be enrolled at school and still enrolled in 2024. If the nominee is no longer attending school and has completed a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship, the nominee may be eligible for nomination in another NSW Training Awards category, including Apprentice of the Year; Trainee of the Year or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year if all eligibility criteria is met.

If the qualification is not attained through a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship, the nominee is eligible to enter into the VET in Schools Student of the Year Award category.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia and undertaking training in New South Wales;
  • have a registered training contract with the NSW Department of Education;
  • be undertaking/completing a Certificate II or above qualification through a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship;
  • be still enrolled in school in 2024;
  • supply their Training Contract ID (TCID) number. If you do not have the TCID number, contact your local regional office on 13 28 11; and
  • be nominated by one nominator, either their registered training provider, employer, GTO, Apprenticeship Network Provider or school.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

VET in Schools Student of the Year

The NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year Award is open to full-time Year 11 or 12 school students undertaking accredited vocational education and training as part of their HSC studies.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia and undertaking training in New South Wales;
  • be undertaking accredited vocational education and training as part of their HSC studies in 2024;
  • still be enrolled in school in 2024;
  • not be undertaking a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship Award; and
  • be nominated by their registered training provider or school.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download VET in Schools Student of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

The NSW VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a trainer/teacher providing nationally recognised training to students at a registered training organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO.

Nominees must:

  • be a permanent resident of Australia;
  • be a qualified (as determined by the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015) trainer/teacher employed or regularly contracted by an RTO
  • have delivered training in New South Wales between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023, which will lead/has led to nationally recognised qualifications or Statements of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework national system (excludes online delivery, unless a New South Wales resident);
  • must not have been selected as the NSW VET Trainer/Teacher of the year winner from the previous year. A gap of one year must be present.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Find the eligibility criteria for Organisation Awards below.

Large Training Provider of the Year

The Large Training Provider of the Year Award recognises a Registered Training Organisation that offers a broad range of training products and services and demonstrates excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.

All eligible large training providers are encouraged to apply for this award, including community learning providers and independent training providers.

To be considered a large training provider, your organisation must:

  • have 500 or more students enrolled at the time of nomination, as reported in the most recent annual National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data collection period (If this criterion is not met, nominees may be eligible to apply for the Small Training Provider of the Year Award)
  • be a Registered Training Organisation for which the delivery of vocational education and training is the core business; and
  • nominate if the majority of their training is being delivered in NSW (Organisations may only nominate for this category in a single state or territory. In addition, only one nomination will be accepted per RTO code)

Note: To maintain the integrity of the NSW Training Awards, applicants to the Large Training Provider of the Year Award will be subject to quality assurance checks by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), and/or the applicable regulatory authority in NSW. The checks will inform the selection process of applicants and finalists to this award category.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Large Training Provider of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Small Training Provider of the Year

The Small Training Provider of the Year Award recognises a Registered Training Organisation that offers a specific range of training products and services and demonstrates excellence and high-level performance in all aspects of vocational education and training.

All eligible small training providers are encouraged to apply for this award, including community learning providers and independent training providers.

To be considered a small training provider, your organisation must:

  • have less than 500 students enrolled at the time of nomination, as reported in the most recent annual National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) data collection period (If this criterion is not met, nominees may be eligible to apply for the Large Training Provider of the Year Award)
  • be a registered training organisation for which the delivery of vocational education and training is the core business; and
  • nominate if the majority of their training is being delivered in NSW (Organisations may only nominate for this category in a single state or territory. In addition, only one nomination will be accepted per RTO code).

Note: To maintain the integrity of the NSW Training Awards, applicants to the Large Training Provider of the Year Award will be subject to quality assurance checks by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), and/or the applicable regulatory authority in NSW. The checks will inform the selection process of applicants and finalists to this award category.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Small Training Provider of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Industry Collaboration Award

The NSW Industry Collaboration Award recognises exemplary skills development collaboration between at least one employer/industry body and at least one organisation delivering nationally recognised training.

To nominate for the Industry Collaboration Award:

  • at least one party must be an industry organisation (e.g. employer, enterprise, group of enterprises, industry association, industry advisory body, trade union or professional association);
  • at least one party must be delivering nationally recognised training or directly contributing to the outcomes of nationally recognised training which leads to formal qualifications or Statements of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework

Please note that nominations will not be accepted from organisations operating under contractual ‘partnership' agreements.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Industry Collaboration Award Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).


Large Employer of the Year

The NSW 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.

To be considered a large employer:

  • Organisations must be registered in Australia, with an Australian Business Number
  • Deliver nationally recognised vocational education and training to their employees that leads to formal qualifications or Statements of Attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation under the Australian Qualifications Framework
  • Employ 100 or more full-time equivalent (FTE) employees*

*An organisation with less than 100 employees in NSW (including full-time, part-time and casual equivalents) are considered small employer organisations.

NSW Training Awards will accept joint applications from:

  • Joint applications are accepted from a partnership between a single Host Employer and a Group Training Organisation. Host Employers or Group Training Organisations who nominate for the award are required to have their partner agree to the nomination, however there is no requirement to jointly write the nomination.

NSW Training Awards will not accept joint applications from:

  • organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training (these organisations may consider nominating for either the Large or Small Training Provider of the Year Award).

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Large Employer of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Small Employer of the Year

The NSW Small Employer of the Year Award recognises small businesses that have achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to their employees.

To be considered a small employer:

  • Organisations must be registered in Australia, with an Australian Business Number
  • Deliver nationally recognised vocational education and training to their employees that leads to formal qualifications or Statements of Attainment issued by a Registered Training Organisation under the Australian Qualifications Framework
  • Employ less than 100 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees*

*An organisation with 100 employees or more in NSW (including full-time, part-time and casual equivalents) are considered large employer organisations.

NSW Training Awards will accept joint applications from:

  • Joint applications are accepted from a partnership between a single Host Employer and a Group Training Organisation. Host Employers or Group Training Organisations who nominate for the award are required to have their partner agree to the nomination, however there is no requirement to jointly write the nomination.

NSW Training Awards will not accept joint applications from:

  • Organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training (these organisations may consider nominating for either the Large or Small Training Provider of the Year Award).

Eligibility and Selection Criteria PDF

For more information, download Small Employer of the Year Eligibility and Selection Criteria (PDF).

Category:

  • Skills
  • VET

Topics:

  • VET

Business Unit:

  • Training Services NSW
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