2025 Business Awards Sponsors | Greater Shepparton Business Network

Apprentice/Trainee of the Year

Sponsored By:

Apprenticeship Support Australia

Supporting Apprenticeships Across Australia

Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA) is an Australian Government contracted Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider, delivering no cost services to employers, apprentices and trainees throughout their apprenticeship and traineeship journey.

In Shepparton, ASA provides local, face-to-face support to businesses, apprentices and trainees across the Goulburn Valley. We help employers recruit and retain apprentices and trainees, complete the National Training Contracts, access available government incentives, identify suitable training providers and meet their workplace obligations.

Our experienced consultants work alongside apprentices and trainees from commencement through to completion, providing practical guidance, resolving issues early and helping them successfully navigate both workplace and training requirements.

What sets ASA apart is our strong local presence, personalised approach, and commitment to long-term relationships. Rather than providing a transactional service, we partner with employers and apprentices to build capability, strengthen workforce retention and create pathways to skilled employment. Through tailored workforce solutions and ongoing guidance, ASA helps local businesses grow while developing the skilled workforce needed to support the future of the Goulburn Valley.

Apprenticeship Support Australia is proud to sponsor the Business Excellence Awards because successful businesses create stronger communities, more employment opportunities and greater economic prosperity across our region. As an organisation dedicated to workforce development, apprenticeships and skills training, we understand the critical role local businesses play in creating opportunities for people to learn, grow and build rewarding careers.

Our decision to become an Award Sponsor reflects our commitment to recognising the businesses that drive innovation, demonstrate leadership and contribute to the long-term success of the regional economy. Through our work with employers across the Goulburn Valley, we see the dedication, resilience and ambition required to build and sustain successful businesses in a changing environment.

Sponsoring the awards allows us to celebrate these achievements while reinforcing the importance of investing in people, skills and workforce development. It aligns with our values of supporting growth, recognising excellence and helping regional industries thrive. We are proud to acknowledge the businesses that are creating opportunities, strengthening local communities and helping shape a skilled workforce for the future.

The Apprentice/Trainee of the Year Award is particularly important to Apprenticeship Support Australia because it recognises the next generation of skilled workers who are helping shape the future of our region. Apprentices and trainees play a vital role in supporting local businesses, industries and communities through their dedication to learning and professional growth.

As an organisation focused on apprenticeships and traineeships, this category aligns directly with our mission. Sponsoring this award allows us to celebrate outstanding achievement, highlight the value of vocational training and recognise individuals who are making a meaningful contribution to their workplace and future workforce.

Community Connection

Apprenticeship Support Australia is committed to making a positive contribution to the Greater Shepparton community by supporting local employers, apprentices and trainees to build skills and strengthen the regional workforce. Through our local presence, we work closely with businesses, schools, training providers, industry groups and community organisations to promote career pathways and workforce development opportunities across the region.

We actively engage with schools, careers events, industry forums and community initiatives to raise awareness of apprenticeships and traineeships and help connect people with meaningful employment and training opportunities. By supporting local businesses to attract and develop skilled workers, we contribute to the long-term economic growth and sustainability of the Greater Shepparton region.

As a locally based organisation, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities within our community. Our commitment goes beyond training contracts and administration. We focus on building strong relationships, supporting local success and helping individuals and businesses achieve their full potential through skills, training and employment.

“At Apprenticeship Support Australia, we believe strong businesses are built by investing in people. The Business Excellence Awards provide an important opportunity to recognise the employers, apprentices and trainees who are helping drive growth, skills development and workforce success across the Greater Shepparton region.”

Did You Know?

Nationwide Reach & Experience: Providing Australian Apprenticeship Support services since 1998, ASA operates under government contract as an Apprentice Connect Australia Provider, with over 60 locations nationwide and a team of 400+ staff. Drawing on 79 years of combined experience in apprenticeship support, ASA has assisted thousands of employers to find, train, and retain skilled workers, boosting apprenticeship commencement and completion rates across Australia, but our strength lies in our local presence. Right here in Shepparton, our team works directly with local businesses, schools, training providers and community organisations to create career pathways and support workforce development. We don’t just facilitate training contracts, we provide ongoing, personalised support to help apprentices and trainees succeed and assist employers to build the skilled workforces they need for the future.

Apprenticeship Support Australia is proudly powered by the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria’s leading business organisation. This partnership combines the Chamber’s strong business network and advocacy expertise with ASA’s apprenticeship and traineeship support services, helping local employers build skilled workforces while supporting apprentices and trainees to succeed