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National Training Award winners celebrate success

Organisations and individuals from across the UK were presented with their National Training Award trophies at a gala ceremony held in London last week.

The 51 winners were presented with their trophies by sports commentator Colin Jackson.

Winners included P & O Ferries for its sales training programme, Bristol City Council for training in customer focus, and the logistics company DHL for an effective manager training programme.

Colin Jackson said: "Training in sport and business are very similar. In both you can only achieve success if you develop your skills and are prepared to overcome hurdles to reach your goals!

"I applaud each winner's commitment to investing in learning for themselves or for people in their organisation. They deserve the recognition of this accolade."

Parliamentary under secretary of state for sSkills, Phil Hope MP, acknowledged the achievement of the winners: "The National Training Awards are all about celebrating truly exemplary training, and giving recognition to exceptional achievements. NTA challenges individuals and organisations to take control and invest in their own development and future and are proof that training works - opening doors to jobs, opportunities and often a whole new life."

UK Skills runs the awards on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills. UK Skills chief executive, Jacqui Henderson CBE, said behind each trophy was a story about commitment, pride, personal growth, achievement and sheer hard work.

"More importantly, there's also a story about how training has brought real results to people, companies and communities. The winners have increased their profits, reduced staff turnover, have more satisfied clients, progressed their careers and developed staff so that they can take on new responsibilities.

"People make businesses work but it's their skills and experience that make businesses flourish. Effective training helps create a more effective, productive and flexible workforce.

"My message to UK Plc is simple: invest in training to gain a true competitive advantage."

The following sponsored awards were also presented at the ceremony:

* Burnley College - the Ufi learndirect award for the successful implementation of its training programme and for delivering significant change in both individuals and the organisation in a sustainable way

* Compass Group UK & Ireland - the PKF award for a large scale project which encompassed all levels of the business and which creatively used training to drive efficiency

* DHL - the City & Guilds award for training using training to deliver a culture change that extended right through management and on to customers and which brought human and financial benefits

* Luminary Solutions - the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) award for an organisation which has excelled in creating an organisational culture in which training and learning can flourish

* Rural Development Initiatives - the Learning and Skills Council 'Employer Response' award for innovation in a new emerging industry

The director of the Youth Conference Service, Youth Justice Agency, Northern Ireland, Alice Chapman, received the Linda Ammon Award for her work championing award-winning learning and development.

This year, the 20th anniversary of National Training Awards, saw 207 finalists from throughout the UK. The National, regional and highly commended winners were announced at a series of regional ceremonies held throughout the country during October and November. The UK gala ceremony to celebrate National Training Award winners and present them with their trophies was held on 14 December at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

External link

Entries are now open for the 2007 National Training Awards. For more information visit www.nationaltrainingawards.com. The closing date for entries is 27 April 2007.

Training Reference is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites.

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