Organisations from the Highlands and Islands were recognised for their success and commitment to training at a prestigious awards ceremony last night (Thursday 2 November 2006). 

The National Training Awards, held in the Radisson SAS Hotel in Glasgow, are the premier accolade for people and organisations that have achieved excellence through training and the winners have been chosen for their ability to achieve success through their dedication to workforce development. 

Training for Development from the Western Isles and Varis Engineering from Moray both won Scottish Training Awards. Parklands from Moray won a national award and has been invited to London. 

Parklands Ltd is a care home operator that coped with major change to remain viable, which earned its place in the finals. The company is based in Buckie and operates care homes in Buckie, Keith, Aberlour and Grantown. The introduction of free personal care in Scotland in 2002 changed the market overnight. To overcome this, the company used a new ground breaking and innovative approach to managing care homes, by using a mobile trained nurse to support shift leaders which can now be used as a model for others. 

Varis Engineering is a fabrication and welding company based in Forres, manufacturing pontoons, distillery equipment and bridges.  The company has successfully established its own training division in the absence of suitable local training providers that offer the required training. The training was initially intended to be in-house only, but following an inquiry to train unemployed people, this progressed to a three-year contract and now the company offers high quality training to a community that has not previously had the chance to benefit.

A programme which opened the door to training for qualifications in childcare in Lewis and Harris also emerged as a winner in the NTA finals. Western Isles Child Care Partnership funds Training for Development, an independent training provider, based in Stornoway.Having this work-based training programme is an enormous benefit and allows people to take advantage of the opportunity to raise their level of skills thus benefiting children in their group and the wider community. 

This year is the 20th anniversary of the National Training Awards which are managed in Scotland by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. The event is one of a number of regional award ceremonies that are taking place across the UK and attracted an audience of 300 guests from across the Scottish business community.

Three levels of awards were celebrated on the night. The Highly Commended category recognises those organisations that show great potential and have demonstrated a passion for excellence through training.

Scottish Training Awards went to businesses that have been judged to be outstanding in Scotland and National Training Awards were awarded to those who have been judged to be exceptional in the UK.

Television favourite Lorraine Kelly presented the National Training Award winners with a golden ticket to the UK gala ceremony on 14 December in London. All of the winners were congratulated by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Allan Wilson.

Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Allan Wilson said:

"These awards are a true celebration of training in the workplace and recognition of how skills development equates to real results for all involved.   

"I commend this year's winners and welcome the focus on lifelong learning and the benefits it brings not only to staff and employers but also to Scotland's economy as a whole." 

Alex Paterson, director of developing skills, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said:

"I would like to congratulate all the winners from the Highlands and Islands - Varis Engineering, Parklands Ltd and Training for Development. They are great ambassadors and I would encourage other organisations and individuals to listen to their success stories and make workforce development a priority.

"Successful economies focus on the skills and learning of their people. Scotland's labour supply is one of our country's economic strengths and the enterprise networks are committed to ensuring that we achieve the maximum return for our investment in this area."