Release type: Media Release

Date:

Top End apprentice takes out big win in 2025 Australian Training Awards

Ministers:

The Hon Andrew Giles MP
Minister for Skills and Training

The most outstanding achievements in Vocational Education and Training (VET) across the nation were recognised at the 2025 Australian Training Awards in Darwin tonight.

Apprentices, trainees, students, educators, employers and training providers from across the country celebrated their hard work and success at a gala event held at the Darwin Convention Centre.

This year’s top award, the Apprentice of the Year, went to Northern Territory apprentice Evangelene Rushforth.

Evangelene is a role model for young women around Australia interested in entering a trade.

While initially pursuing a law degree, Evangelene decided she wanted to work in a more hands-on and technical career, leading her to the engineering trades and a Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, through Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the GTNT Group.

She is now a qualified mechanical fitter with the Groote Eylandt Mining Company and hopes to continue to expand her skills and take on leadership roles in the engineering industry.

In this 31st year of the awards:

  • Trainee of the Year went to Kayla Gagai from Queensland
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year award went to Shirley Darcy from Victoria
  • Australian Apprenticeships Employer Award went to Queensland motor yacht builder Riviera Australia.

Skills and Training Minister Andrew Giles joined more than 700 guests to hear inspiring stories of diligence and focus from the finalists and congratulate the winners.

This year, 16 award categories were presented to celebrate outstanding individuals, businesses and Registered Training Organisations that exemplify best practice and innovation in the VET sector, with winners selected from across the country.

Award winners and runners-up are recognised nationally as leaders in their field of study, training, or workforce development.

Finalists are invited to become members of the Australian VET Alumni, a network that inspires Australians to achieve their goals by sharing their stories and demonstrating the many opportunities available through a VET pathway.

To view the full list of 2025 winners, visit the Australian Training Awards website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:

“The Australian Training Awards highlight the incredible dedication, drive and diversity that exists across our vocational education and training sector.

“I congratulate all of this year’s finalists and winners for their hard work. They’re demonstrating that the VET sector offers incredible opportunities, whether you’re from the Top End, Tasmania, regional WA and anywhere in between.

“In particular I congratulate Apprentice of the Year Evangelene Rushforth, who has an incredible story of her journey through tertiary education. Now, as a qualified mechanical fitter, she’s playing her part in our country’s future success.

“The Albanese Government is committed to supporting a strong VET sector where every Australian can be a part of meeting the skills challenges and opportunities of now and into the future.”