The Southland Regional Development agency has launched the Great South Vocational Excellence Award, a new initiative that celebrates Southland students who have excelled in work-based learning.
Great South Southland youth futures team manager Renata Gill said the award was inspired by the dedication and talent seen in young people who took part in vocational pathways.
"[Great South] just wanted to recognise the students who have shown outstanding professionalism, initiative and work ethic through vocational learning," Ms Gill said.
The award was created to support the next generation of Southland’s workforce.
Students who "showed excellence" while taking part in workplace learning programmes organised by the agency were nominated by their schools for the award.
Throughout the year, Southland secondary school students have undertaken training at the Trades Academy, Gateway or gained work experience via multiple Southland businesses.
A recent Girls in Trades Day event held by Great South and supported by the Southern Institute of Technology elicited "meaningful" interest from female students, which had led to some girls having "transitioned into trades-based learning" through the tertiary provider.
Ms Gill credited the strong network of local employers who had given up their time and expertise to support the young people in the region.
"Sharing their knowledge and experience has been invaluable to the students but [employers] have also learnt about . . . the youth perspective, which was really important," she said.
All Southland secondary schools can nominate two students who have exemplified vocational excellence for the award. The top achieving student will receive $3000, and $1000 goes to the highly commended placegetter.
The financial support will help the student fund their future tertiary or employment journey.
The names of the winners of the awards will be announced at a celebration held at Adventure Southland on September 11. Nominations close on August 25.
