Police Forces win National Training Awards

The Fire Service College had an early Christmas surprise when it was announced as one of just six National Training Award 'Winners of the Year' at a gala ceremony last Thursday night.

The college was chosen as UK National Training Award Winner of the Year 2008 in the Providing Education and Training category (sponsored by CIPD) from eleven finalists in the category.

Former British hurdles champion and sports commentator Colin Jackson presented the prestigious award to the Gloucestershire-based organisation at the event held at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel.

The Fire Service College received the Winner of the Year award for developing a new urban search and rescue training programme to help the UK be better equipped with natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The realistic training involved actors and a massive purpose built rig designed to simulate a real life rescue scenario.

The judging panel noted that this represented a first class example of experiential learning which is now receiving worldwide recognition. Judges felt nothing on this scale has been put into practice before and the training has had a real impact on the safety of officers as well as helping to save lives!

The National Training Awards celebrate organisations and individuals that achieve outstanding business and personal success through investment in training. They are run on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills by UK Skills, a not-for-profit organisation that champions vocational skills and learning for work. The Awards are sponsored by City & Guilds (premier sponsor) and CIPD. They are also supported by Investors in People.

Colin Jackson said: "Congratulations to the Fire Service College on its success. Focussed training, both at work and in sport, is vital to success. If you're committed to developing new skills and putting them into practice, then the rewards will follow. The college has put in that extra effort, worked hard and can feel very proud of what they have achieved."

UK Skills Chief Executive, Simon Bartley, said: "I am delighted at both the broad range and high standard of the organisations and individuals who have entered this year. The new, more streamlined entry and awards system has encouraged a very diverse range of entries and record numbers. The winners have demonstrated that training is an investment not a cost and that it can transform companies, careers and communities. I congratulate the Fire Service College on what it has achieved"

Skills Minister, Lord Tony Young, added: "In today's challenging economy a highly skilled workforce is more important than ever before. Even when firms go through lean financial times, a training programme that is tailored to the specific needs of a business can transform employee and company performance.

"I am pleased to congratulate all the winners here today, as well as the employers who realise that training is an essential ingredient of a successful business, not an optional extra."

Several emergency services also won regional and national awards at a series of regional ceremonies held across the UK during the early autumn. They were:

POLICE

Cumbria Constabulary, Penrith - UK National Training Award
Kent Police Force Communication Centre, Maidstone - UK National Training Award
Metropolitan Police, London - Greater London Training Award
Staffordshire Police, Stafford in partnership with Centre for Professional Management, Stoke-on-Trent - UK National Training Award

FIRE AND RESCUE

The Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh (training to manage natural and terrorist disasters) - UK National Training Award

The Fire Service College, Moreton-in-Marsh in partnership with Communities and Local Government, London and The Fire and Rescue Service, Mansfield - West Midlands Training Award

SEARCH AND RESCUE

RNLI, Poole - UK National Training Award

In addition, the following individuals working in the Emergency Services sector also won awards:

• Dave R Wright, Middlesbrough (Fire Engineer Career Development) - North East Training Award

• Robert Rea, Reading (Search and Rescue) - West Midlands Training Award

The UK National Training Award winners were then put forward for consideration for the Winner of the Year awards.

The 2009 National Training Awards open for entries in January. For more information phone 0800 0191 475 or visit
www.nationaltrainingawards.com