Women have dominated the 2026 WA Training Awards, taking out seven of the eight individual honours at this year’s event.
The awards celebrate outstanding achievement across vocational education and training, with women forging careers in traditionally male-dominated industries this year’s standouts.
WA Apprentice of the Year, Georgia Shinnick, became the first female apprentice at Western Power’s Picton and Collie depot while completing a Certificate III in ESI – Distribution Overhead through Power Training Services WA. The Yalyalup local is now supporting critical electricity infrastructure as a line worker.
WA School-based Apprentice of the Year, Marlissa White, from The Vines, completed a Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology through MTA WA while employed by WesTrac. Ms White is pursuing a career in the automotive industry and is helping inspire other young people to consider vocational education and training pathways.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 2026 WA Training Awards,” said Skills and TAFE Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson.
“The awards celebrate the next generation of our skilled workforce – these are the people who will build our homes, staff our hospitals, and take up the opportunities of our State’s booming economy in the future.
“Over the next decade, WA will need another 144,000 workers in the growing sectors of clean energy, advanced manufacturing, construction, and defence industries.
“I want women to be skilled up and ready to take on the quality, high-paying jobs that these sectors offer, so it’s fantastic to see so many women succeeding in traditionally male dominated industries.
“By investing in fee-free and low-fee TAFE, the Cook Labor Government is opening doors for rewarding careers, while delivering the skilled workers to support our State’s continued growth.”
Women accounted for 61% of fee-free WA TAFE enrolments in 2025, with courses targeted at areas of high workforce demand, while participation by women in apprenticeships continues to grow during a period of record apprenticeship activity.
These results demonstrate the increasing opportunities available for women to build rewarding careers in the industries helping drive Western Australia’s future, said Minister Sanderson.
The WA Training Awards are managed by the Department of Training and Workforce Development.
Find the full list of winners here.
