Record sector entries as National Training Awards finalists are announced

The National Training Awards today announces that nearly 300 entrants have been selected as finalists in 2003 and believes that, with a £23bn annual UK industry training spend and a record number of National Training Award entries in 2003, more and more employers now recognise the real long-term value of workplace development.

This year saw a 25% increase in entries, particularly in the banking, insurance, hospitality, manufacturing and voluntary sectors with some sectors tripling their number of entries compared to last year. This is particularly encouraging as the current uncertain economic climate had prompted concerns that firms might be tempted to cut vital training budgets in a short-sighted bid to cut costs.

The National Training Awards, which are universally recognised as the number one training award for UK organisations and individuals, recognise and reward those who have developed new skills and achieved lasting excellence and success through training and work-place development.

The entrants selected as finalists in the National Training Awards, the UK's premiere accolade for training and personal development, in 2003 include Claridge's, Conran Restaurants Ltd, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, J Sainsbury, Thomas Cook Tour Operations and Lloyds TSB.

All finalists will now attend regional awards ceremonies throughout October to discover if they have won a Training Award for their region or a National Training Award.

The National Award winners will then be invited, along with all other regional winners, to a special ceremony at the Guildhall in London on 18 November. At this event a handful of special awards will be made to organisations and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the field of training and personnel development.

Linda Ammon, Chief Executive of UK Skills - the organisation that manages the National Training Awards on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills - commented: "The high quality of finalists in this year's National Training Awards proves that an increasing number of organisations are realising that investment in development and lifelong learning for their employees is crucial to business success.

"I am particularly encouraged that certain sectors such as IT, manufacturing and banking, which have all been hit by the UK's recent economic uncertainties have continued to invest in training. The awards ceremonies through October will reward those winning organisations for their achievements."

Photo courtesy of Northern Sights.