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Sir Reg Empey congratulates Oakwood Integrated Primary School on training prize23/03/2009
The Minister for Employment and Learning, Sir Reg Empey, has honoured Oakwood Integrated Primary School, Belfast, and the four other National Training Award winners who represented Northern Ireland in the UK-wide final of the contest, held late last year.
In total, 22 employers from Northern Ireland were awarded a prize for their training excellence through the competition, but only five, including Oakwood, were chosen to be honoured in a glittering London ceremony in December 2008.
The event, which took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, also recognised the achievements of Patrick McCann, Moy Park, Belfast Metropolitan College and a partnership entry made up of Deirdre Fitzpatrick and Associates with Mallusk Enterprise Park and the college of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise.
Sir Reg hosted a reception in Parliament Buildings to mark the success of the five employers, highlighting the significance of winning a much coveted National Training Award.
Sir Reg hosted a reception in Parliament Buildings to mark the success of the five employers, highlighting the significance of winning a much coveted National Training Award.
He said: “Winning a National Training Award is a tremendous achievement. It is the only award which provides government endorsement and validation of your training programmes as well as raising morale among employees and employers.
“It is recognition that you have shown an outstanding commitment to training and development and in reaching the UK finals, you have shown that you are among the very best.”
“In the current economic climate I cannot emphasise enough the need for us to continue training our people and harness their skills. It is important that we encourage people to gain skills and qualifications in areas that are going to be of maximum importance as we prepare for an upturn in the economy.”
“In the current economic climate I cannot emphasise enough the need for us to continue training our people and harness their skills. It is important that we encourage people to gain skills and qualifications in areas that are going to be of maximum importance as we prepare for an upturn in the economy.”
The Minister also thanked the judges who had devoted much time and effort in judging the entries for the 2008 competition. He said: “I offer my sincere thanks to our judging panel who have given up much of their own time to judge each and every entry. The process is a long one and they have been meticulous in ensuring that the very best in Northern Ireland training is recognised and rewarded.”
The 2009 National Training Awards competition closes on 25 April 2009 and it is not too late to enter. Further information and advice about the entry process can be obtained by visiting www.ntani.gov.uk.
The 2009 National Training Awards competition closes on 25 April 2009 and it is not too late to enter. Further information and advice about the entry process can be obtained by visiting www.ntani.gov.uk.
