Adult community education (ACE) providers were recognised for their outstanding contribution to vocational education and training (VET) at the 2026 South Australian Training Awards, which marks 30 years of celebrating excellence across the state's skills sector.
Five ACE providers were named finalists, with Whyalla-based SkillUp SA taking out the ACE Provider of the Year Award. Fellow finalists included CommunityLIFE SA, GOGO Foundation, Morella Community Centre, and Community Access and Services SA - the 2025 category winner.
Operating across Whyalla and Port Augusta, SkillUp SA supports people experiencing barriers to education and employment through inclusive, community-based learning programs. Its personalised approach combines foundation skills with real workplace experiences, helping learners build confidence and pathways into further training, employment and community participation.
“This work isn’t always easy and tonight really celebrates all of us who keep creating opportunities and changing lives, because where somebody starts should never determine where they can finish,” said Graham Muller, Managing Partner of SkillUp SA.
Port Pirie’s Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North won the Industry Collaboration Award for its Heavy Industry Multi-Skills (HIMS) program, which combines foundation skills, accredited training, mentoring and industry partnerships to address regional workforce shortages while creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged jobseekers.
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Education Centre (ANMEC) took out the Large Training Provider of the Year award for its innovative and immersive training that is building a skilled workforce to meet the needs of our health care sector.
The Logging Investigation and Training Association (LITA), which delivers training from a purpose-built Skills Centre in Mount Gambier, was a finalist for its collaboration with the Timber and Wood Product Operations Traineeship.
Congratulations to all finalists for their achievements.
