National Training Award winners announced
Wednesday, 15 October 2008Twenty-two Northern Ireland entrants in this year’s National Training Awards (NTA) competition have been recognised for their excellence in training.
During a glittering ceremony held in the Culloden Hotel on Tuesday evening, a total of 22 prizes were presented before 300 business leaders and representatives from the public sector.
The awards, hosted by the GMTV presenter and National Lottery host, Jenni Falconer, were presented to the 22 Northern Ireland winners with five of these also achieving national winner status. All five will now go on to represent Northern Ireland at the UK National Ceremony in the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London in December.
Highlighting the significant performance of entrants this year and their commitment to training and development, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, said: “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. 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 congratulate you all on winning such a prestigious award.”
The Northern Ireland 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.
Underlining 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 increasing global economy.”
If you are interested in attending a National Training Awards information seminar for the 2009 competition please log on to www.delni.gov.uk/infoseminars2009.
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 seven award categories as follows: Large Employer; Medium Employer; Small Employer; Training Provider; Partnerships; Regional, and Individuals.
3. Regional winners for 2008 are:
LARGE EMPLOYERS
Moy Park
Department for Employment and Learning
Dale Farm
BT Ireland
Capita Business Services Ltd
MEDIUM EMPLOYERS
Action Cancer
SMALL EMPLOYER
Oakwood Integrated Primary School
TRAINING PROVIDERS
Belfast Metropolitan College
RNIBNI
Educational Guidance Service for Adults
Police Rehabilitation and Retraining Trust
Arts and Business
PARTNERSHIPS
Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Associates, Mallusk Enterprise Park and College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)
Barnardos and Northern Ireland Prison Service
BT Ireland and U & I Training Concepts Ltd.
INDIVIDUALS
Patrick McCann
Donna Hyland
4. This year, five Northern Ireland entrants will represent Northern Ireland at the National Awards ceremony in London on 11 December 2008.
5. All media enquiries to Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on telephone 028 9025 7872. Outside office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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