1 March 2011
Nominations are now open to enter the best and the brightest employees/trainees for the annual Fitec National Training Awards. This is an important celebration for the in the forest and wood industries, which are among New Zealand’s top exporters.
Companies have until 20 May to put forward their most outstanding candidates, for categories including Modern Apprentice of the Year, Trainee of the Year and Training Company of the Year. There is also a general industry award for Outstanding Business Performance through People Development and an award recognising the best FITEC Training Leader of the Year.
“The Fitec National Training Awards lift the profile of our industry, and past winners have been great industry ambassadors,” says Ian Boyd, Fitec Chief Executive. “It has been interesting to watch the career paths of those who’ve won awards, as their successes are indicative of the overall achievement of forestry and wood industry trainees.
“Past winners of Fitec awards have gone on to do great things and we’re looking forward to seeing the quality of this year’s nominees. It’s inspirational to see the best of our forestry apprentices, trainees and companies get the recognition they deserve."
;2010 Trainee of the Year (Forestry), David Joll of Gisborne’s Blackstump Harvesting Ltd, says he thought his training days were over after leaving University. “But, I’ve discovered there is always something new to learn or new skills to acquire from other people,” he says. “The more training and more upskilling you can do, the better prepared you are for whatever crops up.”
Other 2010 winners included:
- A wood manufacturing company from Tokoroa, which improved output, staff self-esteem, literacy and communications skills as a result of training,
- A large manufacturing plant in Kawerau where all 328 staff are involved in training
The 2011 Fitec National Training Awards are part of The New Zealand Forestry & Wood Processing Festival 2011 (Winning With Woodwww.winningwithwood.com, which is a series of events to promote the wood sector in September and October 2011.
A special ceremony and gala dinner for category finalists and their guests will be held on 7 September in Rotorua, where the winners will be announced.
The nomination form, eligibility and criteria are available by going to www.fitec.org.nz
For further information please contact;
Annabel Huskinson, Fitec Communications and Promotions Manager
T: 09 356 8022 M: 021 745 663
Source: Fitec media release