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Best Year on record for Northern Ireland National Training Award winners

Twenty Northern Ireland entrants in this year’s National Training Awards competition have won prizes for excellence.

During a glittering ceremony held in Belfast City Hall on Tuesday evening, a total of 30 National and Regional Awards were presented to employers, individuals, partnerships and training organisations.

Of the 30 trophies presented, 20 were in the Regional category with 10 of these receiving National winner status, which is a record for Northern Ireland.  National winners will travel to London for the UK ceremony in December to collect their award.  Statistics show that, this year, Northern Ireland has cornered 20% of the total UK-wide National winning entries.

Highlighting the significant performance of entrants this year and their commitment to training and development, Employment and Learning Minister, Maria Eagle MP, said:

“This year has been a landmark one for Northern Ireland in the prestigious National Training Awards competition. The success of the winning entries is a clear reflection of the importance that is being placed on the development of people through education, training and teamwork.  

“When the government launched the Northern Ireland Skills Strategy earlier this year, the emphasis was on tackling economic inactivity and increasing the skills of the working age population.  

“That work continues, as does the recognition of exemplars like the winners tonight, who are demonstrating the impact training can have on the real world of work and ultimately the local economy. The winners can be justifiably proud of their achievements and I know they will have an evening to remember.”

If you are interested in attending a National Training Awards information seminar in November, please log on to

http://www.delni.gov.uk/nta-information-seminars for further details.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The National Training Awards were introduced in Northern Ireland for the first time in 1986 and provide a mechanism for rewarding and promoting employers, individuals, partnerships and training organisations who have achieved outstanding success in the application of training.

2. The competition is organised and promoted by UK Skills and the  Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland. There are Regional, Sponsored and National Awards.

3. Regional winners for 2006 are:

  • Youth Conference Service, Youth Justice Agency
  • The McAvoy Group Ltd
  • Housing Rights Service
  • Campbell Catering NI Ltd
  • ALMAC Clinical Services
  • Advice NI
  • Philip McCann
  • Maura Rea
  • Briege Burns
  • Kate McAllister
  • Upper Bann Institute and Express Parcels
  • Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) and North East Institute of Further and  Higher Education
  • Deirdre Fitzpatrick & Associates and Mallusk Enterprise Park and College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise
  • NI Ambulance Service and Honestas
  • North Belfast Partnership and Stakeholder Development and PIPS
  • Extra Care
  • NOW Project
  • Northern Ireland Tenant’s Action Project
  • The Streat Café Franchising Ltd
  • Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education

4. This year there were 51 National winners and Northern Ireland cornered 20% of this total.

5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press   Office on 028 9025 7872.