BII calls for entries to training awards

The industry's top training providers are being invited to celebrate their achievements by entering the 2008 BII NITAs.

The awards recognise training excellence in 11 categories plus the special Supreme Award for the person or organisation which judges believe has made the biggest contribution to training in licensed retail.

And BII marketing director Sue Medhurst said everyone who enters will benefit from free advice.

"This is a superb opportunity for entrants to basically receive free consultancy on their training," she said.

"The judging process for the BII NITAs is among the most rigorous in Britain and the independent panel of judges features some of the most influential and well respected names in the industry.

"Each entrant is given personal and confidential feedback from the judges on their entry."

She added: "We know how onerous completing award entries can be so we've simplified the process as much as possible.

"With entry categories applicable to all aspects of the licensed retail sector, there's really no excuse - make sure your training is recognised as being the best of the best."

To show our support The Publican is the official media partner of the event as well as the sponsor of the Best Licensee Induction Programme.

Editor Caroline Nodder said: "We are proud to give our backing to the NITAs. Providing staff with professional training opportunities can give businesses a competitive edge, which could be essential to success in these difficult trading times."

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at a London venue in January 2009.

Entries must be in before September 1. Businesses can enter as many training programmes in as many categories as they wish. To request an entry form email nita@bii.org, visit www.bii.org/competitions or call Claire Butler on 01276 417823.

The categories are...

• Best licensee induction programme (sponsored by The Publican)

• Best development programme in managed estates (sponsored by Enterprise Inns)

• Best development programme in non-managed estates (sponsored by milestone)

• Licensee trainer of the year in managed and non-managed estates (sponsored by Matthew Clark)

• Social responsibilities award where consumption is on the premises (sponsored by Charles Wells Pub Company)

• Social responsibilities award where consumption is off the premises (sponsored by BIIAB)

• Best area manager/BDM development award (sponsored by JD Wetherspoon)

• Professional trainer of the year award (sponsored by Greene King)

• Door supervisor training award (sponsored by BIIAB)

• Best training scheme run by institutions of further and higher education in partnership with the licensed retail industry (sponsored by BII)

• Best development programme in licensed retail where consumption is off the premises (sponsored by BII)

• The judges will also give a Supreme Award to the person or organisation which has done most to promote the cause of training across the licensed retail sector