The Western Australian Training Awards (WATA) is the State’s premier awards program recognising excellence in vocational education and training (VET) and the outstanding achievements of our VET students, apprentices and trainees, practitioners and training providers, organisations and employers.
Following extensive consultation with the VET sector and Australian Training Awards, and with consideration to COVID-19 restrictions, we are excited to announce a new streamlined WA Training Awards program for 2020 that provides an opportunity to recognise VET students who have completed their training and would not be eligible to participate in next year’s program. The impact of COVID-19 across our community has brought with it extraordinary challenges. The VET sector will be particularly relevant in the recovery period and in the rebuilding of a post COVID-19 economy. There is no better time to shine a spotlight on WA’s VET sector!
In addition to the recognition and opportunities these prestigious awards bring, as a winner in an individual category you will receive $3,000 to further your training or kick start your career.
Applications are now open!
The new streamlined program for 2020 will focus on five individual categories for VET students, which articulate through to the Australian Training Awards.
We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the program; AMA Training Services, Apprenticeship Support Australia powered by CCI WA, College of Electrical Training, Crown Perth, MEGT, Roy Hill, StudyPerth and The Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, and our Awards partners; the WA Training Accreditation Council and the State Training Board.
While the WA awards program has been streamlined for 2020, the Australian Award direct-entry categories are still open and can be entered by visiting the Australian Training Awards website.
Which spotlight will you be in?
The first step is to select a category, and check that you meet the eligibility requirements. Check this page for details about each of the award categories available in 2020.
How will you impress the judges?
A judging panel will read all applications to select WA Training Awards finalists. As part of your application, you will be asked to respond to specific selection criteria. Take the time to read through the application guide, and start thinking about how you are going to answer them.
Check the conditions of entry
Ensure you meet the conditions of entry, and that you're aware of what is expected of you as a training ambassador should you win.
Be inspired by previous winners
Take a look at the journies of previous award winners to hear their stories, and check out previous WA winners who have gone on to win an Australian Training Award.. This could be you!
If you have any questions about your application, the criteria or the process, don't hesitate to contact the WA Training Awards team. You can also look through our frequently asked questions.
E: watrainingawards@dtwd.wa.gov.au
P: 08 6551 5952.
The application guide has all the information you need, and hints on how to submit a great application. Before applying, please read the guide to check your eligibility.
To apply, register on at the WA Training Awards Portal where you will complete your application online (see below for more information on using the portal).
Applications opened on Wednesday 1 July, and close on 14 August 2020.
If you are selected as a finalist, you will be invited to attend an interview on Wednesday 9 September. Winners will be announced in October, at a presentation ceremony.
If you are selected as the winner of your category , you will be invited to travel to Melbourne in November to represent WA at the Australian Training Awards.
| Stage/step | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open for 2020 awards | Wednesday 1 July |
| Applications close | Friday 14 August |
| Finalists notified | Wednesday 2 September |
| Finalists interviewed (judging day) | Friday 11 September |
| Awards presentation function | Details to be confirmed |
| Australian Training Awards | 20 November (in Melbourne) |
If you need help or have any questions, email the training awards team or call us on 08 6551 5952.
To support your application, you will need to complete some additional documents such as a reference from your teacher/trainer or employer. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to put these documents together. To make it easier, you may like to download the following templates. It's not essential you use these templates, but they could give you a head start.
More information on how to complete these is detailed in the application guide.
Applications must be submitted online through the WA Training Awards application portal.
Go to watraining.awardsplatform.com to register and set yourself up in the application portal. You can then start an application, save it and go back in and edit it at any time during the application period.
All applicants must fill in this section. Here you’ll select the category you are applying for and name your application. For individuals, your application name is your full name.
You must fill in this section first as the category you choose will determine which details, criteria and attachments are asked of you.
In this section, all applicants must provide their contact details.
Here students will provide information about the course they are completing, list a referee and provide employer details (if applicable) and/or school details (if applicable).
After selecting your category at the first tab, your selection criteria will be presented.
You will need to provide an overview and address each of the selection criteria in the fields provided within the word limit provided for each one. Use the considerations listed under each criterion, in order to formulate a competitive response.
Note: You can only submit text within the criterion fields. If you wish to include tables and figures you will need to refer to them in the text field and upload a spreadsheet, Word document or PDF of your tables and/or figures in the attachments section.
You will upload the required attachments into the portal, to go with your application.
You can include copies of your training and education certificates, awards and prizes and other items relevant to your application here as well.
More information on these attachments is detailed in the required attachment templates section and in the application guide.
As a WA Training Awards winner or finalist, you’re an ambassador for VET in WA and your success will be an inspiration for others.
Should you also win your category at the Australian Training Awards, you’ll be invited to promote the sector on a national scale through a variety of additional activities.
By sharing your experiences, advice and knowledge, you can encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to consider how vocational education and training could benefit them and potentially change their lives. In addition, you may be able to inspire employers and training providers to review their training methods and continue to make improvements. All WA Training Award finalists and winners, both in the individual and organisation categories, have a story worth sharing and you never know who might be listening and how your story could inspire others.
As a WA Training Awards winner, you may be invited to participate in activities including but not limited to:
Here we have provided answers to some frequently asked questions about the 2020 WA Training Awards program. Please email the WA Training Awards team or call us on 08 6551 5952 if you have any further enquiries or questions.
Due to the shortened timeframe for the new streamlined 2020 awards program, we unfortunately cannot offer the full suite of award categories this year.
If you are a student, you may find one of the other award categories available this year more appropriate (if you meet all other eligibility requirements), but you can only apply for one award category.
The categories available in 2020 provide an opportunity for those WA students who have completed their training and would not be eligible to participate in the WA Training Awards next year.
No. Individuals can only apply for one WA Training Award and must not apply/accept a nomination for another state or territory’s training awards in the nominating year.
No. Applications are required to be written and submitted online by the applicant.
Applicants can seek assistance from others in preparing the information but the application should be written and submitted by the applicant.
Finalists in all categories may reapply for the same or other awards in subsequent years if they are eligible.
Individual winners may not apply for the same category award in subsequent years but may apply in other categories if they are eligible.
There is no application fee for any award.
The content of the written application is very important for proceeding to the next stage of the judging process.
Panels at all stages of the judging process are made up of people from industry and the training sector. Category sponsors are usually also represented on judging panels as well as previous category winners. People with the appropriate experience and expertise are selected to judge each category.
Panels have four members. Care is taken to make sure there is a balance of genders and backgrounds. The decisions of the judging panels are final.
All applications will be acknowledged in writing.
Applicants will be notified in writing as to whether they have been successful in reaching the next stage. Phone calls will be placed to finalists only.
Winners and finalists are ambassadors for the Western Australian training system. 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 paper, that your story may be told on radio and a possibility of TV/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. The application includes a release for this purpose.
All State winners (except the Cultural Diversity Training Award and International Student category winners) will be put forward as Western Australia’s nominations for the Australian Training Awards. There are currently no Cultural Diversity or International Student awards at the national level.
National winners will be announced at the Australian Training Awards presentation dinner., which is held in a different state/territory each year. All eligible individual State winners and all short listed organisation State winners will be invited to attend. All costs, including travel to the event, are covered by the Commonwealth Government.
If you are chosen as the winner of your category, you will be invited to participate in a variety of activities. Visit the Being an ambassador page for more information.
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.
Unfortunately no. Applicants for the WA Cultural Diversity Training Award must have migrated to Australia from overseas after 1 January 2014 and reside in Western Australia. Migrants who arrived in Australia before this date will not be eligible to apply in this category but may apply in another of the student categories if they meet the eligibility criteria.
As a VET in School student you can apply for Vocational Student of the Year (given 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.
If you are completing or have completed a pre-apprenticeship you can apply for Vocational Student of the Year (given you meet all other eligibility requirements). There is no restriction on qualification level in the Vocational Student category.
The School-based Apprentice of the Year award is open to both school-based apprentices and trainees. You must have completed or be completing a Certificate II qualification or above and meet all other eligibility requirements.
Contact Apprenticeship Office on 13 19 54 to confirm your completion date. 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.
Either party can provide a reference however you should select an individual within these organisations who best knows you and can provide an appropriate reference.