Welcome to the 2026 NSW Training Awards. These awards recognise and reward excellence and outstanding achievement in vocational education and training.
Ceremonies WUPA Artist, Craig Layer
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 2026 NSW Training Awards, our 71st annual celebration of the outstanding people who make our vocational education and training (VET) sector one of the best in the country.
Over the past seven decades, NSW has continued to grow and change. Industries have evolved, new technologies have emerged, and the skills our workforce needs have changed with them. Through it all, VET has helped people gain the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to build rewarding careers and strengthen our communities.
The NSW Government is committed to supporting people at every stage of their learning and working lives, whether they are starting their career, retraining for a new opportunity, or building on existing skills.
The NSW Training Awards recognise the people and organisations that make this possible. They celebrate students who have embraced the opportunities VET provides, teachers who inspire and support them, training providers that deliver quality education, and employers who invest in developing a skilled workforce.
Tonight, we also recognise the valuable contribution of our NSW Training Awards Ambassadors. By sharing their stories, they encourage others to consider vocational education and training and show what's possible through hard work, determination and the opportunities VET provides.
Congratulations to every finalist and winner in 2026. Your dedication, hard work and achievements are something to be proud of. Thank you for the contribution you are making to NSW, and I wish you every success in the years ahead.
The Hon. Steve Whan MP
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education
Order of Proceedings
Welcome to Country
Uncle Allen Madden
Master of Ceremonies
Casey Fox
2022 NSW Vocational Student of the Year, and
Michael Pfeffer
2024 NSW VET Teacher/Trainer 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 Teacher/Trainer of the Year
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year
Trainee of the Year
Apprentice of the Year
Performers
Dhinawan Yarn and Entertainment
Awards Presentation - continues
Disability Inclusion in the VET Sector
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
Post Event Celebration
Acknowledgements
The NSW Department of Education would like to acknowledge the ongoing support, commitment, and contributions that have led to the success of the 2026 NSW Training Awards. We extend our gratitude to the many judging panel members from the regional and state selection processes who dedicated their time and expertise to assess the entries and select the finalists and winners across the 13 award categories.
The NSW Department of Education would also like to thank our 2026 Ambassadors, who were our NSW winners for 2025: James Barry, Kathryn Beale, Rebecca Hambrook, Darby Hubber, Penny Mackay, Amali Rollinson, and Imogen Young-Maloney.
Special acknowledgement is extended to:
2022 NSW Vocational Student of the Year, Casey Fox, and 2024 NSW VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, Michael Pfeffer for their time and contribution as MCs
Dhinawan Yarn and Entertainment
Training Services staff volunteers
TAFE NSW – Western Sydney event student volunteers undertaking Diploma of Event Management and TVET
Canapés cooked and prepared by Hospitality students from Sylvania High School and Ingleburn High School
MAS National for providing the Finalist Tote Bags
We would also like to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of our event management team Clare Dawson and Danielle Bell from Forum Group Events.