Mr Tidswell works very closely in a range of projects with the Australian Technical College, and aside from hiring many of its students, the two organisations collaborate with many other organisations to create the highly successful GetSET program in Whyalla and Port Augusta.

He is currently heavily involved in skills planning for the future needs of OneSteel Whyalla Steelworks.

An innovative Whyalla employment program that has become a role model around the State, Create Your Future: Goal 100, took out the prize as South Australia's most Outstanding Project in assisting unemployed people into training and jobs.

The program that is sponsored by the Whyalla Economic Development Board won the top honour at the South Australia Works in the Regions Recognition and Achievement Awards last year.

The project won a second accolade at the awards tonight, with Mr Tidswell taking out this year's award for Outstanding Employer/Industry Representative

He has been the Human Resources manager at OneSteel's Whyalla Steelworks since July 2005.

Prior to taking up this role he was Human Resources managerwith International Timber Company, Carter Holt Harvey, based out of Mount Gambier for nine years.

Mr Tidswell said the medal was an acknowledgement of the work he had done with TAFE and thanked all those who supported his idea and brought it to fruition.

He said with the support and back-up from the staff at TAFE he managed to see programmes through successfully.

"We have plans for another big training and employment programme in the pipeline in conjunction with the fedreal and state government," Mr Tidswell said.

"Details and plans of this programme will be released soon and we are very excited with the opportunities it will offer to the unemployed and those who want to upgrade their skills."