Record number of local winners at National Training Award Finals
15 December 2006
Northern Ireland companies, organisations, partnerships and individuals scooped a record number of trophies at last night’s National Training Awards finals in London.
A National Training Award recognises outstanding achievement and success through training and skills development and the competition operates throughout the UK. The only area to come close to Northern Ireland’s haul of ten awards was the English North West region which had six winners. In addition, the Director of Youth Conference Service, Youth Justice Agency Northern Ireland, Alice Chapman, received the Linda Ammon Award for her work championing award-winning learning and development.
Congratulating the award winners, Employment and Learning Minister Maria Eagle MP, said: "The success of the winning entries is a clear reflection of the importance that is being placed on the development of people through a commitment to their education and training which brings both individual and corporate benefits. By investing in workplace training, individuals, organisations and businesses can create a knowledgeable, skilled and adaptable workforce able to compete in an increasingly global economy."
If you are interested in entering the 2007 National Training Awards please contact 028 9025 7419 or log on to http://www.ntani.gov.uk 
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The National Training Awards operate throughout the UK. UK Skills manage the awards on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) and they organise the awards in England. In the devolved nations the awards are managed in Northern Ireland by the Department for Employment and Learning; supported by the Scottish Executive and promoted in partnership with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and organised by The Welsh Assembly Government in partnership with UK Skills on behalf of DFES.
UK Skills are a non profit organisation who champion vocational skills and learning for work through awards and competitions.
The National Training Awards were first held in 1986. They are awarded to those who have achieved lasting success through exceptionally effective training. Anyone or any organisation that has benefited from training can enter the awards.
This year there were 207 finalists from throughout the UK. National and regional winners were announced at a series of regional ceremonies held throughout the country during October and November. A number of other companies, training organisations, individuals and partnerships were highly commended. The UK gala ceremony to celebrate National Training Award winners and present them with their trophies was held on 14 December 2006 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.
Northern Ireland National winners for 2006 are:
- The Streat
- NI Ambulance Service and Honestas
- Maura Rea
- Campbell Catering
- Extra Care
- Youth Conference Service, Youth Justice Agency
- ALMAC Clinical Services
- North East Institute of Further and Higher Education and Ryobi Aluminium Casting(UK)
- NI Tenants Action Project
- North Belfast Partnership, Stakeholder Development and PIPS.
