Women take top honours in milestone year for SA training
The South Australian Training Awards are celebrating 30 years by recognising a record field of talent – with women dominating the individual categories.
Women are leading the way in this year’s South Australian Training Awards, with a civil construction apprentice, gardening specialist and other emerging tradeswomen among those recognised for their skills and achievements.
Now in its 30th year, the South Australian Training Awards have celebrated the people, businesses and organisations contributing to South Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.
Presented by the South Australian Skills Commission, this year’s Awards attracted a record number of nominations across 14 categories, showcasing the range of people pursuing careers through vocational education and training.
Women dominated the individual honours, with female winners recognised across a diverse range of industries and career pathways.
Among them was Aya Pulle, who was named South Australia’s 2026 Apprentice of the Year after completing her Certificate III in Civil Construction and her apprenticeship ahead of schedule.
Working with SADB, Pulle has developed her career in civil construction while also attaining additional certifications and contributing to the Civil Contractors Federation SA’s Women in Civil Committee.
She is also preparing to volunteer in Nepal on a humanitarian housing project, adding an international dimension to her vocational journey.
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Pulle’s achievement comes alongside a strong showing by women across this year’s individual award categories, with female recipients also recognised as 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.
Among the other women recognised was a gardening specialist who has turned a passion for horticulture into a career, highlighting the variety of pathways available through vocational training.
For South Australians considering their next career move, VET can offer the opportunity to gain industry-specific qualifications while developing practical skills and workplace experience.
South Australian Minister for Education, Training and Skills Lucy Hood said a strong skills sector would be critical to meeting the workforce needs of the state’s future 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,” she said.
“These awards recognise the apprentices, trainees, students, training organisations and employers making that happen, now and in the future.
“Topping the list this year is a diverse group of female apprentices and tradeswomen helping build our state and keep it moving.”
The South Australian Government is continuing to invest in vocational education through initiatives including fee-free TAFE, the expansion of technical colleges and partnerships with non-government training providers and industry.
The 30th anniversary program also provided an opportunity to recognise an individual whose contribution to the sector stretches back well beyond this year’s cohort.
The Hon Paul Caica received the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising more than three decades of service to South Australia’s VET sector and his work supporting training opportunities.
SA Skills Commissioner Cameron Baker said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate the people behind the state’s training system.
“For 30 years, the South Australian Training Awards have recognised people and organisations whose skills, commitment and dedication have helped shape our industries, strengthen our communities and build the skilled workforce our state needs,” he said.
“These Awards recognise not only individual achievement, but also the employers, trainers, mentors, families and colleagues who help people succeed.”
This year’s record nominations reflect the breadth of the sector, with finalists representing a wide range of industries, training pathways and stages of career development.
Baker said the achievements of this year’s finalists demonstrated the opportunities available through vocational education and training.
“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,” he said.
“I congratulate every winner and finalist, and I look forward to seeing our winners in eligible categories represent South Australia on the national stage at the 2026 Australian Training Awards.”
The 2026 South Australian Training Awards winners will represent South Australia at the Australian Training Awards in Sydney in November.
For the full list of winners and finalists, visit trainingawards.sa.gov.au
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