Individual Award Categories


The Apprentice Training Awards feature eight categories for which individuals may be nominated, with the possibility of being nominated in multiple categories. These awards celebrate outstanding achievements and contributions in various aspects of apprentice and trainee development.

An individual may be nominated for multiple categories.


Apprentice of the Year

The Apprentice of the Year Award recognises the best Victorian Group Training Organisation (GTO) apprentice. This prestigious award celebrates excellence in apprenticeship, highlighting the exceptional skills, dedication, and achievements of Victoria’s top apprentices.

Past Apprentice of the Year Recipients

Trainee of the Year

The Trainee of the Year Award honours outstanding trainees within Victoria’s Group Training Organisations. This award celebrates exceptional performance, commitment, and achievements in vocational training, recognising the best and brightest trainees across the state.

Past Trainee of the Year Recipients

Inspiration Award: Disability Achievement

The Inspiration Award: Disability Achievement recognises an apprentice or trainee with a disability who has demonstrated outstanding performance and attitude. This award celebrates resilience, dedication, and exceptional achievements in vocational training.

Past Disability Achievement Award Recipients

Inspiration Award: Indigenous Student of the Year

The Inspiration Award: Indigenous Student of the Year recognises the achievements of Victorian Indigenous apprentices and trainees. This award celebrates their commitment to their communities and their exceptional performance in vocational training.

Past Indigenous of the Year Recipients

Inspiration Award: Overcoming Adversity

The Inspiration Award: Overcoming Adversity honours apprentices and trainees in Victoria who have faced and overcome significant challenges. This award recognises their resilience and determination to complete their apprenticeship or traineeship despite difficult circumstances.

Past Overcoming Adversity Award Recipients

Inspiration Award: Women in Trades

The Inspiration Award: Women in Trades acknowledges the contributions of Victorian women in the trades. This award celebrates their achievements and recognises their efforts in overcoming the stigma and challenges of working in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Past Women in Trades Award Recipients

School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

The School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award recognises Victorian students undertaking a Certificate II or higher qualification as a School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship. This award celebrates their commitment to both their studies and their workplace.

Past School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Recipients

STAR Award

The STAR Award (Stop Taking A Risk) recognises apprentices or trainees employed by a Victorian Group Training Organisation for their contributions to making their workplace safer. This award celebrates initiatives and actions that improve workplace safety and promote a culture of risk prevention.

Past STAR Award Recipients


Nomination Process

Nominations for the 2024 Apprentice Training Awards have now opened. The nomination and award process is as follows:

  1. Download the Nominations Guide and familiarise yourself with award categories, selection criteria, key dates and conditions of entry.
  2. Submit your nomination on the AEN Award Force Website ensuring you have addressed the selection criteria.
  3. Each nomination will be assessed individually by an Independent Judging Panel.
  4. Finalists will be interviewed in the second stage of their nomination.
  5. Finalists will be invited to attend the Apprentice Training Awards Gala Dinner.
  6. The winner will be announced and presented with the award at the Gala Dinner.