2026 AEN SA WHS Excellence of the Year Award

The AEN SA WHS Excellence of the Year Award recognises an Apprentice Employment Network SA (AEN SA) member Group Training Organisation (GTO) that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation and commitment to achieving excellence in work health and safety (WHS) for apprentices and trainees across South Australia.

Proudly supported by Safework SA

This award celebrates organisations that have embedded a positive safety culture, implemented innovative WHS initiatives, demonstrated strong leadership and collaboration with host employers and industry partners, and achieved measurable improvements in protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of apprentices and trainees.

The award acknowledges that excellence in WHS extends beyond legislative compliance and is demonstrated through leadership, continuous improvement, collaboration, education and measurable outcomes.

You must:

Be a current financial Apprentice Employment Network SA (AEN SA) Member Group Training Organisation.
Have remained a financial AEN SA Member continuously during the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Have employed apprentices and/or trainees in South Australia during the eligibility period.
Demonstrate a genuine organisational commitment to achieving excellence in work health and safety for apprentices and trainees.
Demonstrate compliance with relevant Work Health and Safety legislation throughout the eligibility period.

The nomination must include:

A letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) confirming the organisation satisfies the eligibility requirements.
Evidence supporting the initiatives described within the nomination where appropriate.

In assessing nominations, the judging panel will consider evidence of:

Outstanding WHS leadership
Demonstrated commitment to apprentice and trainee safety
Innovation in workplace health and safety
Strong collaboration with host employers and industry partners
Continuous improvement and organisational learning
Measurable improvements in WHS performance
Positive safety culture across the organisation
Effective engagement of apprentices and trainees in WHS
Contribution to raising WHS standards across the South Australian Group Training sector
Overall organisational excellence in creating safe, healthy and supportive workplaces for apprentices and trainees

The judging panel will particularly value evidence demonstrating that the organisation has gone beyond legislative compliance to embed a culture of excellence, innovation and leadership in workplace health and safety.

Nomination Form

Your Details

First Name *

Last Name *

Phone Number *

Email Address *

Group Training Organisation *

Section A: Organisation Overview

Provide a brief overview of your Group Training Organisation, including:

Organisational profile
Number of apprentices and trainees employed
Industries serviced
Overview of your WHS management approach
Why workplace health and safety is a strategic priority within your organisation

Organisation Overview *Note: This information will not be considered or used for judging purposes, but it may be used as your summary throughout the Awards process.0 / 300

Section B: Selection CriteriaThe WHS Excellence of the Year Award recognises organisations that demonstrate leadership, innovation and measurable excellence in protecting apprentices and trainees. Nominees will be assessed against the following criteria:

Criterion 1: WHS Leadership and Organisational Commitment

Describe how your organisation demonstrates leadership and commitment to creating a positive safety culture for apprentices and trainees.

Consider:

Visible leadership and organisational commitment to WHS
WHS governance and accountability
Safety leadership demonstrated by management
Integration of WHS into organisational planning
Workforce engagement in safety
Continuous improvement processes
Creating a culture where apprentices and trainees feel safe to raise concerns

The assessment will consider how WHS leadership has contributed to a positive organisational safety culture and improved apprentice and trainee outcomes.

Criterion 1 Answer: *0 / 400

Criterion 2: Collaboration and Partnership

Demonstrate how your organisation works collaboratively with host employers, apprentices, trainees and industry stakeholders to improve WHS outcomes.

Consider:

Collaborative relationships with host employers
Engagement with apprentices and trainees on safety matters
Partnerships with regulators, industry associations or other organisations
Safety consultation processes
Sharing of WHS resources and best practice
Joint problem solving and risk management
Supporting host employers to continuously improve workplace safety

The assessment will focus on how collaboration has strengthened safety performance across host workplaces and contributed to safer learning and working environments

Criterion 2 Answer: *0 / 400

Criterion 3: Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Provide examples of innovative WHS initiatives implemented during the eligibility period.

You may wish to include:

Innovative technologies or digital safety solutions
New approaches to apprentice safety induction
Behaviour-based safety initiatives
Mental health and psychological safety programs
Hazard identification innovations
Incident prevention initiatives
Data-driven decision making
Continuous improvement projects
Development of new WHS resources or systems
Innovative methods of engaging apprentices and host employers

The assessment will consider originality, effectiveness, sustainability and measurable improvements arising from the initiatives implemented.

Criterion 3 Answer: *0 / 400

Criterion 4: Demonstrated Outcomes and Industry Impact

Describe the measurable outcomes your organisation has achieved through its WHS leadership and initiatives.

Consider:

Improvements in WHS performance indicators
Reduction in incidents or injuries
Improved apprentice and trainee wellbeing
Positive safety culture outcomes
Host employer engagement
Training and competency outcomes
Return-to-work outcomes
Examples of organisational learning
Broader contribution to improving WHS across the Group Training sector

The assessment will consider the evidence provided demonstrating sustainable improvements and the overall impact the organisation has had on protecting apprentices and trainees throughout South Australia.

Criterion 4 Answer: *0 / 400

Section C: Attachments

Please upload up to five single A4 page attachments (e.g .jpg, .png, or .pdf). Please include one document per page, at a 100 percent ratio.

You MUST include:

A letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer (or equivalent) confirming the organisation satisfies the eligibility requirements.
Evidence supporting the initiatives described within the nomination where appropriate.

Other attachments may include:

WHS performance reports
Risk management documentation
Training records
Photographs
Safety campaign material
Consultation outcomes
Audit or accreditation reports
Innovation case studies
Safety communications
Safe Work Method Statements or safety resources.
Awards or industry recognition
Media articles
Other relevant supporting evidence

Upload Files *

2026 AEN SA WHS Excellence of the Year Award

Eligibility Criteria

Evidence Required

Judging Considerations

Nomination Form