- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
- Apprentice of the Year
- Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector (*NEW in 2026 – this category is state-based and will not be held at regional level).
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year
- Vocational Student of the Year
- VET in Schools Student of the Year (this category does not continue to the Australian Training Awards)
About the Awards
To find out more about the nomination process for 2027, you are invited to attend a NSW Training Awards Webinar on November 10 at 5:30pm. Please register here.
How do the Awards work?
The NSW Training Awards begin with 9 Regional Training Awards programs held across the state. Regional Winners compete for a place as NSW State Training Awards Finalists, and the best in each category are selected to represent NSW at the Australian Training Awards.
Further information can be found:
What's New for 2026
All Individual categories are now self-nominated. This means you can submit your own nomination without needing someone else to nominate you first. However, all individual nominees must specify an Endorser as part of their nomination.
Find out more about Endorsers on our FAQs Page
There are two new categories in 2026:
- Disability Inclusion in the VET Sector (organisation)
- Outstanding Achievement in the VET and Skills Sector (individual)
NSW Training Awards categories
Use this simple Eligibility Checker
Individual Awards
Organisation Awards
- Disability Inclusion in the VET Sector
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year
- Industry Collaboration
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
Why be involved with the Awards
As the premier awards for VET in NSW, the NSW Training Awards are a great way for individuals, Employers and Registered Training Organisations to receive recognition for outstanding achievements made possible through VET.
For organisations the Awards are the perfect platform to showcase a commitment to VET. Entering the Awards raises the profile of organisations, increases the broader conversations of how VET can support industries and connects organisations to a wide network of VET advocates and sector leaders.
For individuals, the Awards provide the unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements and hard work. Being recognised at a Regional or State Training Awards presentation can open many doors and connect finalists and winners into a network of like-minded learners and passionate industry professionals.
A core aim of the NSW Training Awards program is to discover and develop VET Ambassadors to connect with students, employers, and community members to share insights into their VET journeys and industries.
Reach out to the Training Services VET Ambassador team to find out more about this initiative: RTS.VETAmbassadors@det.nsw.edu.au.
2026 NSW Training Awards: Life Changing
I didn't want a job, I wanted a career. The reason I chose a VET pathway is because I've always wanted to finish year 12, but I knew that I wanted to know my career and have experience in the workplace before I finished school.
I chose a VET pathway because I really wanted to gain some real world skills. I was learning lots in school, but I just wanted to get that extra bit of experience outside and doing some tangible work. There's so many different pathways and different courses you can choose to give you a better insight on what you want to do when you leave school. So VET really gave me the opportunity to experience a career, learn about a career while completing my HSC.
VET gives you a foot in the door. You're just learning so much along the way, I love getting out there and getting my hands, on learning wise. And that has definitely been the highlight of my career so far.
So I'm currently the first and only student to be doing a Certificate 2 in Wool handling, a first of the kind. I've been able to experience things that people my age wouldn't.
If I could describe VET in one word, it would be Head Start; Empowering; Impactful; Pioneering. VET in one word would be fun. It's really helped me gain some amazing skills and learn a lot about myself, and how I work best. I felt very empowered throughout my entire traineeship, I felt respected, and I felt that I was worth building a career. You know, I wake up fulfilled now.
This pathway has been super transformative for me in my life, and has really helped me know where I want to go in the future and what I want to work towards.
Without VET, I wouldn't really be where I am in my career, professionally and also on a personal level. VET has really empowered me to do better for myself, to really help my children and my grandchildren.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a teacher; Now I'm teaching apprentices every single day.
My favourite aspect of VET are the learners. I love sharing their lives, their experiences, their highs, their lows. I love watching them reach their potential and I love how they get excited when they achieve their goals.
If I had to describe VET in one word I would say real world; pathways; opportunity; variety; connections; the skills and knowledge to be employed for the rest of my life without having to worry about job security.
My advice to next cohort would be to take advantage of every opportunity; to approach a VET as more than just a qualification; See it as an opportunity to build upon real world skills and to build your confidence; reach out to those who are there to support you.
Your trainers are always ready to help you. If you just show up every day with a positive attitude and a can do attitude then the rest is easy. Jump in and do it because it's literally changed my life.