Victorian Small Business of the Year Award
Category information
The Victorian Small Business of the Year Award will be presented to a small business which has achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to its employees.The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world class training system. The winner may represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.
How to Apply
Visit the how to apply page on this site for information on applying for this award.
Eligibility and Conditions
Businesses with fewer than 20 employees are eligible for the Small Business Award. This can include full-time, part-time and casual employees.
Enterprises/organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training are not eligible, but should refer to the Training Provider Award categories.
Branch Offices of large enterprises are not eligible to nominate for this award (please note, however, franchises may nominate if their training activities are organised independently of the franchise group).
You must also agree to the full Conditions of Entry found on this site.
Preparing your application
Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of twenty (20) A4 pages including attachments.
Any material in excess of twenty (20) pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.
Section A: Overview
Provide an overview of the organisation and how training* is incorporated into the organisation’s operations. Include details of the organisation’s training objectives, a description of the operating environment in which the training is delivered and any specific challenges which have been encountered in the implementation of the training.*denotes nationally recognised training, ie training which is based on a National Training Package or Accredited Course and results in a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment by a Registered Training Organisation. This includes Australian Apprenticeships.
Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria
- Criterion 1: Extent and quality of education and training for employees
- Criterion 2: Achievements of the business, or of its employees, that is attributed to training
- Criterion 3 : Integration of training into business planning
- Criterion 4 : Innovation and excellence of design and delivery of training
Addressing the criteria
When developing your application against the award criteria, you may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below, if they are relevant to your organisation. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include when writing against the award criteria.
1. Extent and quality of training for employees
Consider:- your involvement in designing or developing training specifically for your business, either alone or in partnership with a training provider
- how much you spend on training for your employees
- the amount of time (on average per month) that your employees spend in training activities
- the amount of on-the-job training and how you integrate on-the-job and off-the-job training.
2. Achievements of the business, or of its employees, which may be attributed to training
Consider:- how you measure the benefits of training and how you think training will improve your business in the future
- how you inform employees and people outside your business about how training improves your business
- any “success stories” about your training and how the business and staff have benefited.
3. Integration of training into your business
Consider:- how you find out about the training needs of your employees
- how training fits into your business planning and any evidence that your business has an ongoing commitment to training or a “training culture”
- the training aims of your business.
4. Innovation and excellence
Consider:- details of creativity, excellence and/or innovation in the design, development and delivery of your training
- any methods you use to create positive relationships or partnerships with others to enhance the effectiveness of your training
- any measures you use to encourage access to training for your employees.
- the implementation of any Information Communication Technology (ICT) measures in your business; eg, online learning.
Nomination Form
Download the Small Business of the Year Nomination Booklet (PDF 61KB)
What assistance can I get to write my application?
For tips on how to write your application contact your nominators for guidance and download the:Checklists
Nomination Checklist
Before you submit your nomination, make sure you check the following:- Have you used 12 point font only?
- Is your application twenty (20) A4 pages long, including attachments?
- Has an official nomination form been filled in and attached?
- Have you read and agreed to the conditions of entry?
- Have you provided 10 copies of your application and nomination form?
Criteria Checklist
Have you answered all of the following criteria?- Criterion 1: Extent and quality of education and training for employees
- Criterion 2: Achievements of the business, or of its employees, that is attributed to training
- Criterion 3 : Integration of training into business planning
- Criterion 4 : Innovation and excellence of design and delivery of training
2009 Finalists
| Name |
|---|
| Sweeney Todd Waste Disposal Pty Ltd |
| Urbaneco Australia |
| Wodonga Auto Centre |
A complete list of past winners and finalists can be found on the Past Awards page.