Skills sector shines as South Australia celebrates top training talent
A mechanical fitter breaking barriers in a male-dominated trade and a telecommunications rigger who swapped beauty therapy for climbing towers were among the winners recognised at the 2025 South Australian Training Awards.
Presented by the South Australian Skills Commission, the awards celebrated excellence in vocational education and training across the state at a ceremony on Thursday, September 25, at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This year’s program drew a record number of nominations across 14 categories, underscoring what organisers described as the strength and diversity of South Australia’s skills sector.
The awards are considered the state’s pinnacle recognition for vocational training, with winners in eligible categories set to represent South Australia at the Australian Training Awards in Darwin this December.
Topping the list of individual honours was Bethany Jones, who was named South Australia’s 2025 Apprentice of the Year. Completing a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade with Adelaide Training and Employment Centre and Engie Australia, Jones has built a career in a field traditionally dominated by men. She has also become a strong advocate for apprentices and mental health, with her resilience and leadership making her a standout choice for the state’s top apprenticeship honour.
Jones is committed to changing the course of future apprenticeships by telling her story. She hopes sharing her personal and professional experiences will help budding apprentices get into trades in industries made safer through open communication. Her story is part of a broader celebration of pathways into trades, training and technical professions that continue to open doors for South Australians.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by the Honourable Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training, to Adrienne Nieuwenhuis, who was recognised for her contribution to Australia’s tertiary education sector. Nieuwenhuis has dedicated her career to strengthening quality and equity across both vocational education and higher education, holding key leadership roles including Acting Chief Commissioner of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and serving as a member of the South Australian Skills Commission.
This year also marked the introduction of the Adult Community Education Provider of the Year award, with Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, presenting the inaugural prize to Community Access and Services SA. The organisation was recognised for its culturally responsive programs that support adult learners, breaking down barriers and creating inclusive pathways to education and employment.
The Honourable Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills, said the awards came at a time of significant change in the state’s labour market. “Over the next five years, nine out of 10 jobs will require post-secondary education, with half of those jobs requiring vocational training,” he said.
“A high-performing skills sector is critical to providing a skilled workforce in support of the major multi-generational projects on the horizon in South Australia. That’s why we have invested significantly into non-government training providers, alongside TAFE SA, to ensure we have the skilled people ready to meet the demands of industry.”
Boyer said the annual awards played a key role in recognising the achievements of apprentices, trainees, students, training organisations and employers. “The South Australian Training Awards continue to provide an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of apprentices, trainees, students, training organisations, and employers – and I’m excited to see how each of them will continue to advance the sector,” he said.
Commissioner Cameron Baker, Chair of the South Australian Skills Commission, said this year’s winners reflected the quality of South Australia’s vocational education and training system and its impact across the state. “These winners exemplify the quality of our VET system and its positive impact on individuals and employers across our state,” he said. “They are shining examples of why South Australia is the centre of VET excellence.”
Baker said the breadth of recipients also highlighted the accessibility of training pathways and their capacity to equip South Australians with the tools to succeed in a wide range of industries. “The diversity of this year’s winners is a testament to the accessibility of VET and its role in empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a wide range of industries,” he said.
Baker added that organisational winners were proving the importance of industry collaboration in building future workforces. “Importantly, this year’s organisational winners showcase how training providers, employers, schools and industry collaborations are driving innovation and opportunity at scale – creating inclusive programs, strengthening regional workforces, and building the skilled talent pipelines that will underpin South Australia’s future,” he said.
“Their success highlights the adaptability, innovation and resilience of South Australia’s VET sector, which continues to respond to the evolving needs of the economy.”
The 2025 awards also recognised a wide field of individual learners and employers who have played a role in shaping the state’s training environment. Winners across categories will now prepare to represent South Australia at the national stage later this year, carrying with them the recognition of their peers and the weight of the state’s training ambitions.
For full details of award winners and finalists, the South Australian Skills Commission has published the list at www.trainingawards.sa.gov.au.
