Established just over two years ago, the Centre for Applied Learning (CAL) claimed the top award in the HR, Learning and Development category amid strong competition from the Valuation Office Agency and the Fire Service College. The 2008 Awards attracted over 700 entries to 12 categories making CAL’s win an outstanding achievement.
Finance Minister Mr Dodds said: “This award demonstrates that innovation and excellence is alive and well in the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS). This is good news for the citizens of Northern Ireland who quite rightly expect high standards in our public service delivery. This recognition validates our ability to compete on a national level and the importance of new skills in supporting the reform of the NICS. The training programme itself indicates the importance of continuing to invest in the skills of our staff during difficult economic times.”
The award recognised an innovative package of tailored support developed and delivered by CAL to over 300 staff facing possible redundancy or transfer to the private sector as a result of a programme of reform to improve public service delivery in Northern Ireland. The CAL package, developed in association with Government Skills (the Sector Skills Council for central government), the Department for Employment and Learning, the Association of Northern Ireland Colleges and the Educational Guidance Service for Adults, offered staff the opportunity to re-train for new roles within the NICS, thereby opening career paths not previously available to them.
Notes to Editors:
- The Centre for Applied Learning is a recently established shared service training centre for the provision of generic training to all NICS Departments.
- The NICS is undertaking a £3billion reform programme to improve public service delivery in Northern Ireland.
- Of the 300 staff eligible for this programme, 198 staff applied for transfer to the administrative assistant grade and over 90% were successful at interview.
- Further information on the Whitehall & Westminster World Civil Service Awards is available at www.civilservicenetwork.com/awards
- Photo available on request.
- All media enquiries to roisin.coleman@ofmdfmni.gov.uk - 07825 140 473.
