''The message on the value of the awards evening has certainly found its mark, with many companies bringing through all of their staff and workers, from Invercargill through to Timaru,'' Dodson said.
Around 160 National Training Certificates achieved in forestry and wood processing were awarded to top local contractors and forestry and wood processing employees.
Eight harvesting apprentices involved in the Balclutha training school were also recognised at the awards, run in conjunction with industry training organisation, Competenz.
The nine major industry awards:
Training Excellence Awards
Apprentice of the Year: Paige Harland, of Harland Bros.
Forestry Trainee of the Year (harvesting): Hemi Pickett, of Ferris Logging, and Logan Bennett, Mike Hurring Logging.
Forestry Trainee of the Year (silviculture): Adam McLennan, Johnson Forestry Services.
Skilled Professionals Awards
Forestry Excellence Award (establishment, silviculture, fire, harvesting): Billy Tredinnick, Forestry Training Services.
Wood Processing Excellence Award: Jamie Carr, Pan Pac Forest Products (Otago).
Forest Products/Logistics/Transport/Port Award: Stephen Gray and Craig Unahi, both of NFA Holdings.
Industry Excellence Awards:
Forestry Environmental Management Excellence Award: Matt Winmill, Gillion Logging.
Training Company/Contractor of the Year: Johnson Forestry Services.
Forest Products Health & Safety Award: Dynes Transport.