Tuesday 18 October
NORTHERN IRELAND SCOOPS 26 AWARDS IN 2005 NATIONAL TRAINING COMPETITION
Twenty six Northern Ireland entrants in this year's National Training Awards competition have won prizes for training excellence.
The good news was revealed tonight at the annual gala dinner held in Belfast City Hall, where a large gathering of representatives from the public and private sectors joined in the celebration of success.
Congratulating the winners of the prestigious National Training Awards, Employment and Learning Minister Angela Smith said: "Harnessing people power to capitalise on better business performance, improve customer service and develop personal skills is a recipe for success and a real boost for Northern Ireland. The winners can be justifiably proud of their achievement and I applaud their commitment to training."
During the ceremony, 21 individuals, businesses and organisations collected Regional Awards and, in addition, five of these received National Award recognition. The National winning entrants will be matched against similar Award winners from the UK to vie for top honours to be announced later this year at a ceremony in London.
Highlighting the economic importance to Northern Ireland of a well trained and skilled workforce, Angela Smith 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."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
The National Training Awards were introduced for the first time in 1987 and provide a mechanism for rewarding and promoting organisations and individuals who have achieved outstanding success in the application of training.
The competition is organised and promoted by UK Skills nationally and by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland. There are Regional, National and UK Special Awards.
Regional winners for 2005 are:
Ministry of Defence and EGSA Connecting Adults with Learning
The Cedar Foundation and PDQ Solutions
Ulster Supported Employment Limited and East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education
Women's Resource and Development Agency
Youth Action Northern Ireland
United Hospitals Trust
Oakgrove Integrated Primary School
Conor McGrath
Henry Group (N.I.) Ltd
EGSA Connecting Adults with Learning
Helen Roddy
Bernadette Donaghy
Dog Training Unit, Police College of Northern Ireland
Four Area Health and Social Services Boards for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Centre for Postgraduate Pharmaceutical Education and Training
Tullyherron Developments Ltd & Construction Industry Training Board
HML
Prudential
TCH Democrat Media Ltd
Robinson Cleaning & Support Services
Geraldine McAleese
Donna Drew
National winners for 2005 are:
TCH Democrat Media Ltd
Dog Training Unit, Police College of Northern Ireland
Ulster Supported Employment Limited and East Antrim Institute of Further and Higher Education
Northbrook Technology of Northern Ireland
Tullyherron Developments Ltd and Construction Industry Training Board
Media enquiries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.
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