Women working across trades, training and vocational education have taken several top honours at the 2026 South Australian Training Awards, including civil construction apprentice Aya Pulle, who was named South Australia’s Apprentice of the Year.
Now in its 30th year, the awards are presented by the South Australian Skills Commission and recognise achievements across the state’s vocational education and training sector.
This year’s programme attracted a record number of nominations across 14 categories, highlighting the range of people and organisations involved in training and skills development across South Australia.
Pulle completed her Certificate III in Civil Construction and her apprenticeship ahead of schedule, while gaining additional certifications. She was recognised for her technical skills, her contribution to the Civil Contractors Federation SA’s Women in Civil Committee and upcoming volunteer work in Nepal on a humanitarian housing project.
Women also received honours in several other individual categories, including School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year, Trainee of the Year, VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year, Vocational Student of the Year, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year.
The 2026 individual award winners were Elkira Simmons, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year; Aya Pulle, Apprentice of the Year; Keeley O’Shaughnessy, School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year; Polly Marks, Trainee of the Year; Maisa Lacasandile, VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year; and Emily Stone, Vocational Student of the Year.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to former South Australian minister Paul Caica, recognising his more than three decades of service to the state’s VET sector and his work supporting training opportunities.
The organisational awards recognised providers, employers and industry partnerships across the sector. SkillUp SA was named Adult Community Education Provider of the Year, while the Heavy Industry Multi Skills Program won the Industry Collaboration award.
BAE Systems Australia received Large Employer of the Year, the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (SA Branch) was named Large Training Provider of the Year, and Longko Salon won Small Employer of the Year.
ELC Training Australia received Small Training Provider of the Year, while Western Technical College was recognised for VET Innovation for Schools.
Skills Minister Lucy Hood said a strong training sector would be important to meeting the workforce needs of South Australia’s industries and major projects.
“A high-performing skills sector is central to building the workforce our industries and major projects will rely on for decades to come,” Hood said.
She said the awards recognised apprentices, trainees, students, training organisations and employers contributing to the state’s skills system, while pointing to measures including fee-free TAFE, technical colleges and partnerships with non-government training providers and industry.
SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said the awards had recognised individuals and organisations across the sector for 30 years.
“This year’s winners and finalists demonstrate the quality, innovation and commitment that continue to strengthen vocational education and training in South Australia and create meaningful opportunities for people to build rewarding careers,” Baker said.
The winners in eligible categories will represent South Australia at the 2026 Australian Training Awards in Sydney in November.
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