Businesses which encourage their staff to gain new skills are encouraged to enter for a brand new award entitled the Shetland Training Awards 2006.

Organised by Shetland Enterprise (SE) there are nine separate cash prizes on offer which are designed to reward those who have put effort into improving workplace skills. 

Rachel Hunter development manager with SE said, "Shetland Enterprise strongly believe that training and developing staff results in real business benefits such as increased productivity and efficiency, better customer service and improved employee retention and motivation".

Shetland Enterprise is the main public funder of training schemes on the islands and is keen to see that the considerable achievements of those working to improve skills are publicly recognised.

Rachel said: "Around 300 young people and mature workers on Shetland are progressing through one of the four national programmes that we deliver - Skillseekers; Modern Apprenticeships; Get Ready for Work or Training for Work. In addition we support more than 50 companies each year to train and develop their staff."

"We wanted to create an official opportunity to endorse their achievements and we have secured funding to give category winners significant cash awards."

Initial shortlisting will be carried out by SE staff and winners chosen by members of the SE board as well as training specialists. Awards will be presented at a celebratory dinner at Clickimin Centre on November 27. All Modern Apprentices and Skillseekers who have completed their training since December 2005 will be invited along, with a parent and employer representative, to accept their certificate.

Entry categories:

BP Sullom Voe Modern Apprentice category

• Modern Apprentice of the Year
• Outstanding Effort Award

BP Sullom Voe Skillseeker category

• Skillseeker of the Year
• Outstanding Effort Award

Support Training Moving into Employment category

• Get Ready for Work trainee of the year
• Training for Work trainee of the year

Business categories

• Outstanding contribution to workforce development, up to 10 employees; 11-25 employees; and 26+ employees.

Entry forms are available on the Shetland Enterprise website and by contacting Shetland Enterprise on 01595 693177 or shetland@hie.co.uk. 

The closing date for entries is Friday, October 13 2006.