The British Chambers of Commerce and Learning Skills Council launch new award recognising skill and workforce development within UK businesses. Chamber Awards 2005 London, 4th April 2005 – Organisations that are putting training and workforce development at the heart of their business strategy are invited to enter a new award launched by The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the Learning Skills Council (LSC). This award has been added to seven other categories at the Chamber Awards 2005. Now in its second year the awards aim to recognise outstanding business achievement within the UK business community. The LSC Award for Skill and Workforce Development will be given to the company that demonstrates excellence in its approach to training and workforce development. Companies will need to explain why it is so important, how it is assessed and what how it has benefited individuals and the organisation. David Frost, Director General of the BCC commented: “Continuous skills development of the workforce has been identified by Government and BCC as one of the most critical issues to address for continued competitiveness. We announced only a couple of weeks ago that 50% more employers were having difficulty finding staff with the right skills. This award is there to recognise the work of the most enlightened businesses. The company that wins this award will show that skills development is not a nice to have, it is essential if you want to compete.” David Way, Director of Skills at the LSC said: “To create a world-class and competitive workforce Government and business need to commit to working together on skills development. Unlike some companies, the winner of this award will demonstrate that they take their responsibility to invest in training seriously. They will understand the importance of including training in their business strategy and the benefits this can bring.” There are eight different categories of awards and companies can enter as many as they wish. The categories comprise;
The Chamber Awards will be judged in two stages at both a regional and national level and will be celebrated at a Gala Dinner at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on the 24th November 2005 Each national level finalist has the chance to win the top prize of £25,000 cash for outstanding business achievement. Last year this was won by DB Shoes LTD from Rushden, Northamptonshire. The company used database technology to pull itself back from the brink of receivership and enter itself into new and profitable niche markets - even whilst fighting off competition from cheaper overseas competitors Entry forms and judging criteria can be obtained by visiting www.chamberawards.co.uk. The forms can be completed and submitted online or alternatively printed off and sent by mail. The closing date for all entries is 27th June 2005. The awards are open to any member company of a Chambers of Commerce. For further information or requests for interviews please contact: Judy Osborn at Purple Rabbit Notes to the editors: The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for planning and funding high-quality vocational education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to world-class standards. Our vision is that by 2010, young people and adults in England have the knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. Established in 2001, we work nationally, regionally and locally from a network of offices across the country.
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