Here we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions about the WA Training Awards individual and organisation categories, and the application process.
If you have any further questions or would like any assistance or advice, please don't hesitate to contact us.
For individual categories
Show moreQ: Can I submit more than one application?
A: No.
Individuals can apply for one award only each year, and must not apply or accept a nomination for another state or territory’s training awards in the nominating year.
Q: Can I apply on behalf of an individual?
A: No. Applications are required to be written and submitted by the applicant.
Applicants can seek assistance from others in preparing the information, but the application should be written and submitted by the applicant.
Q: Can previous winners apply again?
A: Individual winners may not apply for the same category award in subsequent years but may apply in other categories, if they are eligible.
Finalists in all categories may reapply for the same or other awards in subsequent years, if they are eligible.
Q: Is there any cost involved in applying?
A: There is no application fee for any award.
Q: What should be considered when writing an application?
A: The content of the written application is very important for proceeding to the next stage of the judging process.
- Applicants in all individual categories are asked to provide information about themselves. Applicants can seek assistance from others in preparing the information, but the application should be written by the applicant. This means using first person point of view; words like 'I' or 'my', rather than 'he', 'she' or 'they'.
- Consider all of the points under each main heading. Treat each one of the assessment criteria equally, as they are all important.
- Vague generalisations should be avoided. General statements such as 'I am a good team member' or 'I have an understanding of industry trends' must be supported with clear evidence and practical examples.
- Dot points are acceptable.
- Keep your writing clear and succinct.
- Be mindful of the word count. There is a word limit for each criterion (as specified in the information for each category available here).
- Think of your application as an application for a job – emphasise what makes you stand head and shoulders above all other applicants.
- The judges are looking for an ambassador for the training sector — someone who is passionate about what they do, has achieved great things during their training pathway, and is able to inspire others to do the same.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Please check the key dates here.
Q: I am a citizen of New Zealand, but I live and train in Western Australia. Am I eligible to apply?
A: To be eligible for the WA Training Awards, you will have to provide evidence that you have been granted Australian permanent residency. Please read the eligibility criteria for each category available here.
We accept the following documents as proof of Australian permanent residency.
- Australian passport;
- citizenship certificate; or
- permanent residency visa.
Q: Who sits on the judging panels?
A: Panels at all stages of the judging process are made up of people from industry and the vocational and education training sector. People with the appropriate experience and expertise are selected to judge each category.
Panels have four members, and care is taken to make sure there is a balance of gender and backgrounds.
The decisions of the judging panels are final.
Q: How will I know if I've reached the next stage?
A: All applications will be acknowledged by email.
Applicants will be notified by email as to whether they have been selected as a finalist.
Q: How are individual winners chosen?
A: Written applications are assessed by judging panels. Finalists are shortlisted in each award category, based on the panel's assessment of written applications.
Finalists are then interviewed for approximately 30 minutes. Questions asked are based on the selection criteria.
Following the interviews, the panel will select a winner in each category. Their decision will be based upon both the written application and the interview.
Q: Can I submit my application if I don’t have all the required evidence?
A: Yes — we encourage you to submit your application, along with the completed selection criteria, by the closing date. Please contact the awards team to discuss any concerns you have about providing the required evidence.
Q: If I'm a winner or finalist, will I get my picture in the paper?
A: Winners and finalists become ambassadors for the Western Australian vocational education and training system. They receive a good deal of media attention, particularly in local press. It is likely that, as a finalist or winner, your story and photo may be featured in your local or the WA state newspaper or be told on radio, and there is a possibility of television/video coverage however this is not assured.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development may use photographs and non-confidential information in its print and electronic publications, and for our social media and websites. The application includes a talent release form for you to sign, for this purpose.
Q: If I win, will I go to the Australian Training Awards?
A: All award winners — except in the Cultural Diversity Training Award and International Student categories — will be put forward as Western Australia’s nominations for the Australian Training Awards. There are currently no cultural diversity or international student awards available at the national level.
National winners will be announced at the Australian Training Awards presentation, which is held in a different state/territory each year. All eligible individual state winners and all shortlisted organisation state winners will be invited to attend the presentation. All costs, including travel to the event, are covered by the Commonwealth Government. National winners will be announced by the Australian Training Awards.
Find out more about the Australian Training Awards here
Q: If I win, what will be expected of me as a training ambassador?
A: If you are chosen as the winner of your category, you will be invited to participate in a variety of activities. This could include:
- photo and video shoots promoting your achievements;
- attending professional development days;
- being a member of the judging panel for your category the following year;
- potential media opportunities (speaking with local press, radio or online journalists); and
- attending industry or vocational education and training sector events.
Find out more about being a VET ambassador here
Q: I’m of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander descent. Which award should I apply for?
A: If you are an apprentice, trainee, vocational student or school-based apprentice of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, keep in mind that the WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award is not the only one you may be eligible to enter.
You may find one of the other award categories more appropriate to you, but you can only apply for one.
View all the award categories here
Q: I’m a VET in Schools student. Which category should I apply for?
A: As a VET in Schools student you can apply for Vocational Student of the Year Award, if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
There is no restriction on qualification level in the vocational student category. If you are a school-based apprentice or trainee however, you should apply for the School-based Apprentice of the Year Award.
View all the award categories here
Q: I completed a pre-apprenticeship. Which category should I apply for?
A: If you are completing or have completed a pre-apprenticeship you can apply for Vocational Student of the Year award if you meet all other eligibility requirements.
There is no restriction on qualification level in the vocational student category.
View all the award categories here
Q: I’m an apprentice/trainee. How do I know what my completion date is?
A: This is the total period of time which you are indentured as an apprentice/trainee, not just the date you have completed your training component.
If you are unsure, please contact Apprenticeship Office on 13 19 54 to confirm your completion date.
Q: I’m an apprentice/trainee employed through a group training organisation. Who should provide my reference – the group training organisation or my host employer?
A: Either party can provide a reference. However, you should select an individual within these organisations who knows you best and can provide an appropriate reference.
Q: How do I apply for one of the direct entry Australian Training Awards categories?
A: The Australian Training Awards direct entry categories are open to eligible Western Australian applicants. We encourage you to apply, however they are not run in WA.
For these categories, please visit the Australian Training Awards website to view the application information.
For organisation categories
Show moreQ: Can we apply for more than one category?
A: An organisation may apply for more than one category, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and clearly differentiate the information in their applications between each category.
Please note that a separate application must be submitted for each award category an organisation intends to apply for.
View all the award categories here
Q: Can I apply on behalf of another organisation?
A: Applications should be written by the organisation and signed off by the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director.
Outsourcing the writing of your application is not recommended. No one knows your organisation and the way its management and staff operate like you do.
Q: Can part of an organisation apply?
A: Where an organisation has more than one workplace in WA, it must choose to apply as either a statewide business or an individual workplace. If an organisation applies as an individual workplace, it must lodge a separate application for each workplace that wishes to apply.
- In the case of registered training organisations, WA must be the primary state of registration and the application should be for the entire WA operation.
- In the case of employers and training providers with activities in more than one state or territory, only the training activities in WA will be considered for the award.
Q: Can previous winners apply again?
A: Both organisation finalists and winners in all categories may reapply for the same award or another award in subsequent years, if they are eligible.
Q: Is there any cost involved in applying?
A: There is no application fee for any award.
Q: What should be considered when writing an application?
A: The content of the written application is very important for proceeding to the next stage of the judging process.
- Applicants in all organisation categories are asked to provide information about their organisation. Applications should be written by the organisation, using first person point of view; words like ‘we’ or 'us', rather than 'them' or 'they'.
- Cover all of the selection criteria and consider each of the points under each main heading. Treat every criterion equally, as they are all important and weighted evenly during the judging process.
- Vague generalisations should be avoided. General statements such as “the organisation has various strategies in place to encourage participation by all students” or “training is fundamental to the success of our business” must be supported with clear evidence and practical examples.
- Dot points are acceptable.
- Keep your writing clear and succinct.
- Be mindful of the word count. The online application portal will not allow you to submit more than the word limit for each criterion, as specified in the conditions of entry.
- Think of the application as an application for a contract — emphasise what makes your organisation stand head and shoulders above all other applicants.
You can find full details about application requirements on the the award categories here.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered — check the key dates here.
Q: Who sits on the judging panels?
A: Panels at all stages of the judging process are made up of people from industry and the vocational education and training sector. People with the appropriate experience and expertise are selected to judge each category.
Panels have four members, and care is taken to make sure there is a balance of gender and backgrounds.
The decisions of the judging panels are final.
Q: How will we know if we have reached the next stage?
A: All applications will be acknowledged by email.
Applicants will be notified by email as to whether they have been selected as a finalist.
Q: If we're a winner or finalist, will we get our picture in the paper?
A: Winners and finalists are ambassadors for vocational education and training in WA. They receive a good deal of media attention, particularly in local press media.
It is likely that as a finalist or winner your story and photo may be featured in your local or the WA state newspaper, that your story may be told on radio, and there's a possibility of television/video coverage however this is not assured.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development may use photographs and non-confidential information from the applications in its print and electronic publications, and on our social media and websites. The application form includes a talent release for this purpose.
Q: As an organisation, if we win, can we advertise our achievement?
A: Winners and finalists in organisation categories are encouraged to promote themselves as a "Winner/Finalist WA (award) of the Year" in their print and electronic publications, and on their website and social media platforms.
An email signature graphic will be supplied to all organisation winners and finalists for this purpose.
Q: If we win, will we go to the Australian Training Awards?
A: All WA Training Awards organisation winners will be put forward as the state’s nominations for the corresponding Australian Training Award. Organisation nominations are then assessed by a national judging panel, and up to three finalists are selected for each organisation award category.
Finalists will have to participate in an interview/presentation with their national panel, from which a winner will be chosen. National winners will be announced by Australian Training Awards.
Q: We are a registered training organisation. Which category should we apply for?
A: Being a registered training organisation does not necessarily mean that a training provider category is the most appropriate one to apply for. The answer depends on your organisation's primary role.
If the primary role of your organisation is training, you should apply for a training provider category.
If the primary role is something other than training (eg selling products or services), you should consider applying for the employer category.
View all award categories here
Q: How do we apply for one of the direct entry Australian Training Awards categories?
A: The Australian Training Awards direct entry categories are open to eligible Western Australian applicants and we encourage you to apply, however they are not run in WA.
For information about these categories, please visit the Australian Training Awards website to view application information.
