The NSW Department of Education — Training Services is proud to present the 2025 NSW Training Awards. 

For 70 years we have been recognising and rewarding excellence and outstanding achievement in vocational education and training. Thank you for being a part of this milestone year.

The Department acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose customs have allowed the nurturing of the country where we work and live as modern-day Australians. We recognise the strength in their continued connection to culture and traditional lands from across NSW.

We pay our deepest respect to the Elders, both past and present, who have maintained the knowledge of culture and paved the way for our youth to be the leaders of tomorrow.

Welcome to the 2025 NSW Training Awards – our 70th annual celebration of some extraordinary people across our world-class vocational education and training (VET) sector.

NSW has changed in many ways over the past seven decades. Industries have evolved, technologies have advanced, and communities have grown. Yet through these shifts, our state has remained a fantastic place to live, learn, and work thanks to those whose skills, passion, and dedication keep us moving forward.

The NSW Government is committed to supporting every person to excel in their chosen field, whether they are just starting out, retraining for a new career, or upskilling to meet new opportunities or challenges.

This is why the NSW Training Awards are so important. They recognise diverse students who are building their futures through VET, the teachers who inspire and guide them, the training providers that offer the pathways, and the employers who open their doors and share their time and expertise.

Tonight, I am also proud to celebrate the impact of our NSW Training Awards Ambassadors. Their stories demonstrate the power of VET to create opportunities, build confidence, and to change lives in communities across the state.

Congratulations to every finalist and winner in 2025. Your achievements highlight the talent, resilience, and ambition that make VET such a vital part of our state. I wish you every success as you continue to shape your careers, inspire others, and make your mark on NSW.

The Hon. Steve Whan MP
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

Order of Proceedings

Welcome to Country
Uncle Allen Madden

Performers
Dhinawan Yarn and Entertainment Dancers

Master of Ceremonies
Bridie Searle
2023 NSW Trainee of the Year &
2023 Australian Trainee of the Year, and

Nathan Turner
2022 Central & Northern Sydney
VET in Schools Student of the Year

Address by
The Hon. Steve Whan MP
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education

Awards Presentation

  • Vocational Student of the Year

  • VET in Schools Student of the Year

  • School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

  • VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year

  • Industry Collaboration Award

  • Small Employer of the Year

  • Large Employer of the Year

  • Small Training Provider of the Year

  • Large Training Provider of the Year

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

  • Trainee of the Year

  • Apprentice of the Year

Post event celebration

Acknowledgements

The NSW Department of Education would like to acknowledge the ongoing support, commitment and contribution that has led to the success of the 2025 NSW Training Awards. We acknowledge the many judging panel members from the regional and state selection process who dedicated their time and expertise to assess the entries and select the finalists and winners across the 12 award categories.

The NSW Department of Education would also like to thank our 2025 Ambassadors, who were our NSW winners for 2023 and 2024: Lachlan Carey, Dascha Harrison, Caitlyn Knox, Rachael Pearson, Michael Pfeffer, Baylun Williams-Pinkie, Gabby Ward and Samantha Zannes for their generous contribution to the NSW Training Awards Program.

Special acknowledgement is extended to:

  • 2023 NSW Trainee of the Year & 2023 Australian Trainee of the Year Bridie Searle and 2022 Central & Northern Sydney VET in Schools Student of the Year Nathan Turner for their time and contribution as MCs

  • Dhinawan Yarn and Entertainment Dancers

  • Training Services and DOE staff volunteers

  • TAFE NSW – Western Sydney event student volunteers undertaking Diploma of Event Management and Diploma of Travel & Tourism Management.

  • Canapé’s cooked and prepared by Hospitality students from Concord High School and Ingleburn High School

We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of our event manager Clare Dawson and Danielle Bell from Forum Group Events.