Member Article

Shortlists revealed for Greater Manchester’s Skills for Business Awards

The shortlists have been revealed for Greater Manchester’s Skills for Business Awards that celebrate the direct impact learning has on businesses in the region.

In total 70 Greater Manchester organisations or individuals have been shortlisted in 17 categories. Amongst the winners will be small, medium and large business of the year, apprentice of the year and a special Rising Star award for an exceptional learner, who will collect their awards at The Hilton Hotel Manchester Deansgate on 3 July.

The jury panel who judged the 145 entries, comprised of some of the region’s most notable representatives from the learning and skills sector.

They include Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Employment and Skills at Manchester City Council; Mike Blackburn, the chair of the Learning and Enterprise Partnership in Greater Manchester and Regional Director for BT; Rachael Beasley, FE Work Based Learning Account Manager at Pearson Work Based Learning; Paul Holme, Skills Policy Advisor at New Economy and David Teale, Chief Executive of North of England Excellence.

The awards are created through collaboration between the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMPLN), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and New Economy (NE).

Louise Timperley, Head of Skills and Employment from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce said: “We were impressed by the high number and calibre of entries.

“From having spoken to a large number of organisations in advance, we were expecting a strong turnout in our first year, but to have 145 entries from such a broad range of organisations representing the length and breadth of Greater Manchester is something which has surpassed all our expectations.

“It really demonstrates how many public and private sector companies are committed to learning in the workplace and acknowledge the importance of people as an asset for their business.”

Dave Rusk from North of England Excellence, who designed and managed the assessment process, added: “Across all categories the assessors found the entries to be of a high standard. Many told some inspirational stories and showcased some outstanding examples of skills being nurtured and developed across Greater Manchester.”

The ceremony will be held on 3 July at The Hilton Hotel Manchester Deansgate. Irish comedian and presenter of TV’s The Apprentice, You’re Fired!, Dara O Briain will be compère, promising an entertaining evening.

Tickets, priced at £75 or £700 for a table of ten are available from the Skills for Business Awards website www.skillsforbusinessawards.co.uk

The headline sponsor for the Greater Manchester Skills for Business Awards 2014 is Pearson Work Based Learning and other sponsors include Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford Business School, Greater Manchester Colleges Group (GMCG), Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Apprenticeships and North of England Excellence.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .