26 champions announced at National Training Awards
16 October 2007
Twenty-six entrants from Northern Ireland have received recognition for excellence in training at this year’s National Training Awards (NTA).
The Awards, hosted by the BBC’s Kate Silverton, were presented tonight before 300 business leaders and representatives from the public sector at the Culloden Hotel.
The Minister for Employment and Learning addressed the audience and congratulated the winners highlighting the significant performance of entrants this year, Sir Reg Empey said: “Harnessing people to capitalise on better business performance, improve customer service and develop personal skills is a recipe for success and a real boost for the Northern Ireland economy. The winners can be justifiably proud of their achievement and I applaud their commitment to training.”
The National Training Awards, organised by the Department for Employment and Learning, recognises and rewards excellence in training. Uniquely open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector – public or private, training organisations and individuals - the programme allows the best of Northern Ireland's businesses and people to showcase their achievements and benchmark their successes against firms and bodies of all types.
During the ceremony, 18 individuals, businesses and organisations collected Regional Awards and, in addition, eight of these received National Award recognition and will receive their awards with other UK winners at the National Ceremony in the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London in December.
Highlighting the economic importance to Northern Ireland of a well trained and skilled workforce, Sir Reg concluded: “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.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The National Training Awards were introduced in Northern Ireland for the first time in 1986. They 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 2007 are:
EMPLOYERS
Ballyclare High School
FG Wilson
HEAT
INVISTA Textiles (UK) Limited
Schrader Electronics
Southern Group Environmental Health Committee
St Columb’s College
INDIVIDUALS
Claire Bowes
Joy Allen
PARTNERSHIPS
Gem and Key Consulting
Henderson Retail Limited and Training Concepts Limited
Workers’ Educational Association and Strabane District Council
TRAINING PROVIDERS
Army Educational Services Northern Ireland
Barnardo’s
BIFHE (now Belfast Metropolitan College)
Community Direct
Intercomm
The NOW Project
4. This year, eight Northern Ireland entrants will receive National Training Awards at a ceremony in London on 13 December.
5. All media enquiries to Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on telephone 028 9025 7872.
6. Outside office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
