The Hunter regional awards are conducted annually and are designed to reward and promote vocational education and training [VET] excellence in our region. With the growing importance of vocational training in enhancing the region’s prosperity, the Awards play a critical role in the economic landscape by encouraging and celebrating excellence in skills development. Organisations that participate in the Regional Awards as sponsors, are recognised as leading contributors in building a skilled region which in turn assists with decreasing the National Skills Shortage. Many disciplines are represented at the Regional Training Awards, including; metals and engineering, automotive, hairdressing, commercial cookery, business and more.

The Hunter regional awards are conducted annually through the Hunter Regional Apprenticeship and Traineeship Advisory Committee [HRATA} and winners from these awards often progress onto the State Training Awards and in some cases, the National Awards.