Search on for top tradies

The search for Australia’s top tradies is on in the lead-up to the inaugural Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards, to be held on Friday, 22 September 2023 at Western Sydney Conference Centre, Penrith.

The awards, which are the only ones in Australia entirely dedicated to trades, aim to support and celebrate the vital contribution that trade business owners make to the local community, through providing a service, generating employment for millions of Australians and boosting the economy.

From sparkies to pest control and carpenters to concreters, there are 44 industry categories that trade businesses can be nominated in, as well as individual awards for Apprentice Champion, Trades Entrepreneur, Trades Champion Leader and the Champion Tradie.

Categories include Data Technician, Electrical, Engineering, Lighting Consultant, and Solar.

Awards Founder and Managing Director Steve Loe said the awards were about giving Australia’s tradies the recognition they deserve.

“Tradies are the backbone of Australian society and an integral part of the small business sector. A third of Australia’s workforce are in a trade and the awards gives them the opportunity to be publicly acknowledged for their hard work and service,” he said.

“A trades career can often mean early starts, long days and exhausting manual labour. It’s a very physically taxing career and those who perform to a high standard deserve to be recognised for their contribution to the community and exceptional customer service,” Loe continued.

Businesses will be assessed on criteria including customer service, quality of products, staff training initiatives, environmental sustainability and contribution to the community, by 30 judges representing a variety of trade industries.

Eligible businesses must be based in Australia, suit a listed category, be a Trade Retail or Service Business with 40 employees or fewer* or a Trade Manufacturing Business with 100 employees or fewer*.

Entries are now open, closing on 27 July, with finalists set to be announced on 16 August.

For more information, visit: www.tradesbusinesschampions.com.au.

_{* Eligibility is based on the number of equivalent full-time positions within the business. (80 staff who work half a week each, is equal to 40 full-time positions.)}

Image credit: iStock.com/LOUISE BEAUMONT