Ben McLachlan, fourth year apprentice with Ralph Painting, won the Apprentice of the Year award, while Catherine Dalgleish from Grampians Insurance Brokers received the Trainee of the Year award.

Runner-up Apprentice of the Year went to Joel Palmer, apprentice carpenter with Ash Heard at Jacorey Homes, while Tamara Kennedy from Charlie Reid dentist received runner-up Trainee of the Year.

The awards, jointly sponsored by WorkCo and NAB, provide an opportunity for the efforts of apprentices and trainees to be acknowledged.

Rotary Club of Ararat president Trevor Webb said it was important to recognise people in their different workplaces.

'Particularly from the apprentice's point of view, we're very short of skilled tradespeople,'' Mr Webb said.

Employers were able to nominate an apprentice or trainee within their business, with a panel of Rotarians given the tough job of selecting a winner.

Finalists are then selected from the nominations, with interviews and recommendations from employers taken into consideration to choose the winners.

There were 11 finalists who attended the awards night, six apprentices and five trainees, held at Chalmers on Chalee, while a few received their certificates after the night.

Mr Webb said choosing a winner from the high calibre list of nominees was one of the most difficult tasks Rotarians undertake each year.

Being nominated for the award is an achievement in itself.

"To be nominated they have to be considered worthy of it by their employers,'' Mr Webb said.

Winners in both categories received a cheque for $100 and a certificate, while runners-up received $50 and a certificate.

All nominees received a certificate commending them on their achievement in being nominated.

Mr Webb believed the annual awards play an important part in recognising and encouraging apprentices and trainees.

"A lot of employers have become accustomed to and look forward to nominating apprentices and trainees,'' Mr Webb said.

"It's not only good for the trainee or apprentice, but good for the employer to be able to recognise them in that way.''