The awards, recently announced by Education and Training Minister Verity Firth, will mark the 55th year of recognising excellence in vocational education and

training.

Starting out with best apprentice, the awards have expanded to include nine awards for businesses, apprentices, trainees, school-based apprentices and indigenous students and Junee businesses are being encouraged to put forward names.

One Junee business which has had great success with apprentices is the Junee Railway Workshop.

Railway Workshop director Andrew Clinton said, of the current employee numbers at the workshop, 10 were current or former apprentices.

While the workshop hasn’t nominated apprentices for the awards in the past, Mr Clinton said it was something he would like to look into.

The Riverina has had its share of success with regional winners at state level, according to Riverina Apprenticeship and Traineeship Advisory Committee chairman David Scoble.

In 2009, Riverina winners were named in a number of categories with apprentices from Cootamundra and Wagga.

Mr Scoble said the awards gave employers an opportunity to recognise the efforts of students by adding to their personal portfolio of achievements.

There are financial rewards for those who make the regional and state finals after applications and interviews.

Employers and training organisations are encouraged to nominate in the categories of employer of the year, small business of the year and training organisation of the year.

Those who wish to enter the awards are required to meet certain eligibility and complete an entry form.

The closure date is Sunday, May 2.

For more information, visit www.trainingawards.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 306 999 or 6937 7600.