TWO Scottish entries have won UK national training accolades at an annual awards ceremony.
The Scottish finals of the celebrated National Training Awards took place at Glasgow’s new Grand Central Hotel last week.
The awards recognise individuals and organisations throughout the country which have demonstrated outstanding personal and business success through investment in training.
Livingston-based DHL Supply Chain, and Future Positive Consulting Limited were named as winners of the Partnership category and Argyllshire construction company, Stewart McNee Dunoon, was named as winner of the Medium Employer Category.
Begins a spokesperson: “Judges were so impressed with the companies, they also presented them with UK National Training Awards. The three organisations will now go on to represent Scotland in their categories at the UK finals in London later this year.”
Sponsored by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), the National Training Awards aim to raise awareness and inspire others to invest in learning and development as a route to the top.
The spokesperson added: “A complete overhaul of their training regime led to a significant improvement in productivity and staff motivation at DHL Supply Chain.
“The business provides third-party logistics for supermarket Iceland and food wholesaler, Booker, covering Scotland, North England, and Northern Ireland.
“Its partner, Future Positive Consulting provides consultancy and training for businesses, giving people the ideas, information, tools and inspiration they require to succeed.
“Since beginning work with Future Positive, DHL Supply Chain has smashed every site and network record for Key Performance Indicators and increased its gain sharing fee.
“Stewart McNee Dunoon Ltd was praised for its work with apprentices. Since 2002, the organisation has employed 20 apprentices who are still with the company today.
“The construction company has a strong reputation for quality craftsmanship and good customer care. To ensure they continue to build on this success, bosses have committed to finding and nurturing fresh talent.
“By providing its trainees with the opportunity to kick-start their career, Stewart McNee Dunoon ticked all the right boxes for the judges.”
The National Training Awards are managed by UK Skills and delivered in Scotland by Skills Development Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Damien Yeates, chief executive of Skills Development Scotland, said: “Investing in training is a proven way of boosting productivity and increasing staff retention, which has been abundantly demonstrated by the results achieved since DHL Supply Chain and Future Positive Consulting started their collaboration.
“The commitment to staff development has seen DHL Supply Chain make rapid improvements to its business and this offers a real example to other companies.
“Stewart McNee Dunoon has carved a reputation for providing excellent service and high-quality tradesmen. When the company recognised the need for more quality employees, it decided to invest in itself by taking on apprentices. This has strengthened the business, boosted productivity and increased staff retention.
“The National Training Awards are a great way to showcase the most innovative training programmes and the businesses which have employed them. All of the businesses which received awards this year deserve to be commended for their hard work.”
Attending the event Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, Keith Brown, said: “Creating sustainable economic growth is the key aim of this Government and it is vital Scotland’s workers are equipped with the skills they need to make a positive contribution to the economy.
“The National Training Awards reward and recognise training excellence in Scotland’s most ambitious companies and organisations and provide a tremendous incentive for employers to invest in their workforces.
“The standard of entry this year was higher than ever, demonstrating that employers across Scotland are determined to make training and skills a priority and are prepared to play their part in returning Scotland to prosperity.”
In other categories hairstylist Lyndsay Spiers from Paisley was named as winner of the Individual Category, Glasgow-based construction company Lakesmere picked up a Scottish Training Award in the Medium Employer category and Greenock-based National Semiconductor UK Ltd won the Large Employer Category.
Anniesland College and Rolls-Royce; Scottish Widows and Pure Sales Consulting, and Glenrothes-based Raytheon Systems and Future Positive Consulting were all named winners in the Partnership category.
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Contact: Caroline Rham
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Email: Caroline.Rham@sds.co.uk
Website: http://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
