The Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award recognises employers who have made innovative improvements in training which provide beneficial outcomes for their apprentices and/or trainees and to their local community.

Eligibility criteria for the Australian Training Awards

Nominees must:

  • meet the Australian Training Awards Conditions of Entry requirements
  • be an employer of an Australian Apprentice (apprentice or trainee) between 1 January 2023 and 30 April 2024*
  • submit their nomination here.

Note: 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.

Note: Nominations will not be accepted from organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training.

* The apprenticeship or traineeship must be formalised under a contract of training.

Selection criteria

Criterion 1: Innovation in the delivery of training for apprentices/trainees

Criterion 2: Links with training organisations and the community

Criterion 3: Apprentice/trainee outcomes

Criterion 4: Business outcomes
 

Preparing your nomination

Nominations are to be submitted by direct entry to the Australian Training Awards here.

Section A: Overview

The information in Section A will not be considered or used for judging purposes, but it may be used as a summary of your organisation throughout the Awards process.

Business Details

Industry sector

 

Main business locations

 

Number of full-time employees

 

Number of part-time employees

 

Number of casual employees

 

Number of contractors

 

Number of apprentices/trainees

 

Number of apprentices/trainees who commenced training in the nominated period

 

Number of apprentices/trainees who completed training in the nominated period

 

Length of time your program has been operational (years)

 

Business structure (e.g. partnership, trust, company)

 

Length of time business in operation (years)

 

Number of key partners* involved in your training programs for apprentices/trainees

 

Your training expenditure as a percentage of annual payroll

%

*A ‘key partner’ is an organisation that is actively involved in your training programs.         

Business Summary

Provide a brief description of your business, including the products/services that you offer and any major milestones you have achieved.

(Limit: 500 words)
 

Section B: Nominees will be judged against the following selection criteria:

Criterion 1: Innovation in the delivery of training for apprentices/trainees

Criterion 2: Links with training organisations and the community

Criterion 3: Apprentice/trainee outcomes

Criterion 4: Business outcomes

Addressing the selection criteria

This information will be considered and used for short listing and judging purposes. Please be aware that your responses to the selection criteria will be strengthened by the inclusion of measurable results and appropriate indicators (including customer satisfaction data and other types of external validation).

The selection criteria should be the focus of the nomination. Up to ten (10) single A4 pages of relevant evidence may be provided. Attachments exceeding 10 pages will not be considered.

If submitting a nomination based on a joint partnership between an host employer and a group training organisation, the role of each organisation should be made clear within the application, including how each organisation supports positive outcomes for Apprentices. The focus of the nomination should be based on the partnership and include only outcomes that have been jointly achieved.

In developing your nomination, you may wish to take into account the considerations below.

Note: considerations are not additional selection criteria, but are provided to clarify what may be relevant to include when writing a response for each criteria.

Criterion 1: Innovation in the delivery of training for apprentices/trainees

How have you demonstrated innovation in your approach to the design and delivery of training for apprentices/trainees? For example, you may consider:

  • the training programs and initiatives which have led to improved outcomes for apprentices/trainees
  • the processes and approaches that have been adopted for training delivery
  • the unique elements of the training program/s
  • the availability of quality training pathways.

(Limit 800 words)

Criterion 2: Links with training organisations and the community

How have you partnered or collaborated with training organisations and the broader community to deliver innovative training and skill outcomes? For example, you may consider:

  • the partners included in the training of apprentices and/or trainees, including Registered Training Organisations and Australian Apprenticeship Support Network providers
  • the extent of participation and the benefits of these partnerships
  • how the skills required within the local community have been met
  • how the training programs have been promoted externally.

(Limit 800 words)

Criterion 3: Apprentice/trainee outcomes

How has your approach to training impacted positively on individual apprentices and/or trainees? For example, you may consider:

  • evidence of successful learning outcomes for apprentices/trainees, (e.g. data relating to their progress, positive work outcomes and retention and completion rates)
  • customised training, innovative use of RPL and skills acquisition
  • increased foundation skills levels
  • your workplace mentoring and the benefits it provides.

(Limit 800 words)

Criterion 4: Business outcomes

How has your approach to training impacted positively on the business? For example, you may consider:

  • evidence that the training has produced measurable improvements in business outcomes (e.g. quality, productivity, profitability)
  • other benefits that the training programs have delivered
  • evaluations of the training programs (and their outcomes)
  • the overall impact that the training has on the business
  • the sustainability of the training programs
  • how the training programs are modelled in other areas of your business.

(Limit 800 words)