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Media

The National Training Awards Press Office will send out press releases following the announcement of the regional finalists, regional ceremonies and the Gala.

The Press Office will also be happy to provide comments from spokespeople at The National Training Awards and Government for you to include in your own releases.

And don't forget to include any press releases on your website, intranet and in your company newsletter to ensure your exciting news reaches all your stakeholders.

 

Top trainers honoured at Northern Ireland gala ceremony

Northern Ireland’s finest and most innovative trainers have been recognised for their excellence at this year’s National Training Awards.

At a gala ceremony in Belfast’s Europa Hotel this evening, a total of 21 trophies were awarded to 15 organisations and individuals in front of an enthusiastic audience of business leaders and private and public sector representatives.

The ceremony, hosted by BBC presenter, Stephen Watson, honoured 15 regional winners, with five of these winners also receiving UK national winner status and going on to represent Northern Ireland at the UK National Ceremony in London in December.

Speaking at the ceremony, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, said: “Yet again Northern Ireland’s National Training Award winners have shown themselves to be exemplars in the field of training and skills development. It is hugely encouraging to see that our organisations and individuals recognise the vital role that training plays, not only in increasing business performance, but also in boosting Northern Ireland’s skills base.

“In what are difficult times for the economy, it is important to note that companies that invest in the skills of their staff are two and half times more likely to survive. Indeed, experience has shown that companies that invest in the development of their people during times of economic downturn are best placed to gain competitive edge when recovery comes. With this in mind, I urge all businesses and organisations to follow the example of tonight’s winners in reaping the benefits of workforce development.”

The National Training Awards, organised by the Department for Employment and Learning recognises and rewards excellence in training.  The Awards are open to organisations of all sizes and from any industry sector, training organisations and individuals, and 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.  There is a rigorous judging process involved in selecting the winners each year and winners receive recognition on a UK scale which sets these awards apart from all others.

The Minister concluded by stressing the importance of a highly skilled workforce to the Northern Ireland economy. He said: “If we are to compete in the global marketplace, Northern Ireland must be able to call on the services of a dynamic, fit-for-purpose labour force.  Continued investment in training and development will ensure that this is the case.”

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 the Department for Employment and Learning in associated with UK Skills. The award categories are as follows: Large Employer; Medium Employer; Small Employer; Providing Education and Training; Partnership and Collaboration, Now is the Time and Individual.
  3. The 15 regional winners for 2010 from Northern Ireland are:
    • LARGE EMPLOYER CATEGORY (Sponsored by Chartered Management Institute): Dale Farm Limited; Acheson & Glover; Nacco Materials Handling Ltd; Firstsource Solutions Ltd
    • MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY (Sponsored by Belfast Telegraph): Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College; Fujitsu Telecommunications (Ireland)
    • SMALL EMPLOYER CATEGORY (Sponsored by Next Level Impact): Rosstulla School.
    • PROVIDING EDUCATION AND TRAINING CATEGORY (Sponsored by City & Guilds): Ballyclare High School; South Eastern Regional College; Extern Organisation Ltd
    • PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION CATEGORY: Northern Regional College
    • NOW IS THE TIME CATEGORY: Nacco Materials Handling Ltd
    • INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY (Sponsored by Hastings Hotels Ltd): Maureen McKeague; Anne Rooney; Gerry Mallon
  1. This year, five Northern Ireland entrants will represent Northern Ireland at the National Awards ceremony at Old Billingsgate in London on 1 December 2010. These are:
    • LARGE EMPLOYER CATEGORY: Nacco Materials Handling Ltd
    • MEDIUM EMPLOYER CATEGORY: Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College
    • SMALL EMPLOYER CATEGORY: Rostulla School
    • NOW IS THE TIME CATEGORY: Nacco Materials Handling Ltd
    • INDIVIDUAL CATEGORY: Maureen McKeague
  1. This year’s National Training Awards principal sponsors were City & Guilds, with further sponsorship being provided by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Next Level Impact, Hastings Hotels Limited, Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Limited and Harrison Photography.
  2. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872.  Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

 

Social Media
Including news of your success with the National Training Awards on your company's social networking site is another great way to shout about your achievements.

Company literature
Announcing you have won a National Training Award can add real kudos to your company - remember to include your achievement on email signatures, business cards and company literature.