YEAR eleven of the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards will break fresh new ground with the introduction of TWO new categories.

And other elements of the initiative have been revised and revitalised as the political and economic landscape enters a fascinating period of change.

The Awards were launched at Titanic Belfast at a reception attended by a range of business organisations as well as representatives of our main business partners.

This year’s business partners are Mount Charles, Henderson Group, Ulster University, Queen’s University, Phoenix Natural Gas, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Carson McDowell and Titanic Belfast.

Irish News editor Noel Doran praised the pivotal role they play in the initiative, adding: “Some have been associated with the awards for many years, while this year in particular we have a number of partners who are joining us for the first time.”

He said that “I’m pleased to confirm that despite the changing and challenging economic and business climate we are expanding our Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards through introducing two new categories and announcing our biggest ever range of business partners.

“The new sections will recognise the employer for the future, which reflects how businesses and organisations are reinventing themselves to cope with the astonishing pace of changes out there, and also the team of the year, which emphasises the vital importance of working together creatively.” They are:

:: EMPLOYER FOR THE FUTURE – it will focus on, and reflect, how businesses and organisations are ‘future-proofing’ themselves to cope with the astonishing pace of change in the world right now.

:: TEAM OF THE YEAR – this category focusses on the vital importance of working together creatively, which is fundamental for businesses/organisations to succeed and thrive.

Guest speaker at the launch was Claire Colvin, talent & organisational development director with CDE Global in Cookstown, a significant player in the wet processing industry, making equipment which helps quarrying, recycling and mining businesses extract material out of the ground.

The company won the Managing Talent category of our awards three years in a row and in 2016 clinched both Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovative Employer gongs.

Customers of CDE – which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary – include producers of the specialist sand used in the bunkers at the 2014 US Open, and also one of the world’s largest wine bottle makers, based in Australia.

Claire said: “CDE has fantastic growth plans, with our 2020 vision including doubling revenue and recruiting at least 100 people.

“We operate in a highly competitive environment, and if we can’t deliver talent into our business, it can’t grow. So winning these Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards has been fantastic for us.

“We attach tremendous importance to these awards, and the publicity which goes with it has been noticed by our customers in 15 countries. We’re extremely proud and thrilled at that – and we’ll be back again this year, trying to add to our impressive collection and having a go at those two new categories.”

Irish News business editor Gary McDonald, who also spoke at the launch, said: “Technology may have infiltrated every aspect of our business and is front-and-centre in today’s corporate world, the human element remains by far our most important and valuable business resource.

“Every part of our business boils down to people. We need to value and reskill our people and think strategically about how to deploy all that talent. It’s exactly what these unique awards have been all about since 2007, where entries have increased year on year.

“And in the current climate the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards – with the straplines of STRIVE, GROW, SUCCEED – have never been more relevant. There really is a compelling argument to enter.”

Members of a number of business organisations attended the launch, including the CIPR, Young Enterprise, Food NI, NIIRTA, the NI Chamber, CBI, Hospitality Ulster and the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

The launch was hosted by BBC presenter Karen Patterson, who will again be compere at the awards in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 8.

Entries for the Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards close on May 4.

For your 2017 entry pack and awards information visit www.irishnews.com/wea or follow the build-up on Twitter at @IrishNewsWEA.

The “Northern Ireland Food Manufacturing Awards 2017” sponsored by Henderson Food Machinery will be staged at the Stormont Hotel Belfast on Friday 28^th April 2017.

Due to demand closing date for nominations has been extended to Friday 17^th March 2017

The event will gather around 250 Food & Manufacturing Industry guests and professionals spanning the width & breadth of the industry and sets out to recognise and reward leading suppliers in the following 12 categories:

• 1. Customer Service Award
• 2. Best Provider/Supplier of the Year
• 3. Export Initiative/Company of the Year
• 4. Innovation Award
• 5. Best Training Initiative of the Year
• 6. Best New Service/Product of the Year
• 7. IT & Digital Initiative of the Year
• 8. Best Community Retailer of the Year
• 9. Young Talent of the Year 
• 10. Small Producer of the Year
• 11. Outstanding Food Manufacturing Business of the Year
• 12. Special Recognition Award

A judging panel will meet to decide the winning entries in April.

Henderson Food Machinery would like to offer you the opportunity to be part of this prestigious event – you can do so in one of the following ways:

Nominate your business for deserved recognition / Attend on the evening

For further information on judging criteria and categories and to find out how to enter or book a seat or table please contact Donna Hosking on:

Mobile: 07892 406262 or email: donna@strategicbusinessplanningandevents.co.uk

 

Front-line hospitality staff took part in a WorldHost Food Ambassador training programme which was launched at Bishop’s Gate Hotel on March 9th as part of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Enterprise Week.

A total of eight training sessions, supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council Skills Team, will take place throughout the month to provide recognised and accredited training to become a WorldHost Food Ambassador.

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Hilary McClintock, encouraged food and drink businesses in the city and district to avail of the half-day sessions which have been developed by Tourism NI, People 1st and Food NI/Taste of Ulster in partnership with Council.

She said: “WorldHost Food Ambassador has been specially tailored to bring front-line hospitality staff up to speed on all that is happening in our growing food and drink industry and help them make the most of Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016.”

Tina Gillespie, Skills Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, explained that the training is aimed at showcasing the region’s top local produce and selling Northern Ireland as a foodie destination. The sessions will include a wide range of local food and drink tasting to enable participants to familiarise themselves with the unique home-grown products available to their customers.

“This training programme presents a golden opportunity for front-line staff to develop their customer service skills and knowledge to equip them to tell the stories of our local produce with confidence and passion and spread the word about our amazing chefs and restaurants,” she added.

Places on the WorldHost Food Ambassador training programme are being part funded by Tourism NI and Derry City and Strabane District Council, cutting costs to just £20 per person. Upcoming dates in March are Saturday 18^th March 9.30am-2 pm, Monday 20^th March 11am-3pm, Tuesday 21^st March 9.30am-2pm, Wednesday 22^nd March 9.30am-2pm, Saturday 25^th March 9.30am-2pm, Saturday 1^st April 9.30am-2pm, Monday 3^rd April 11am-3pm and Saturday 8^th April 9.30-2pm.

To register for a place, please contact Michelle Simpson michellesimpson829@btinternet.com

As of 1st April 2017 any workplace binning more than 5kgs of food waste, such as leftover sandwiches and fruit peelings, will need to dispose of it in a different bin and have it collected separately from a general waste collection.

Northern Ireland’s largest and most experienced waste management company, RiverRidge, is firmly focused on assisting businesses meet new legislation and is offering its food waste collection service FREE for the first 3 MONTHS for any customers that signs up before 31st March 2017.

The new duty, administered by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, is set to affect more businesses than ever before, unlike previous legislation where mainly cafés, restaurants and hotels were only affected.

To get your food waste bin today, call or email our team and receive your special introductory offer by quoting the promotion code FOOD17

Email: info@riverridgerecycling.com or visit  www.riverridgerecycling.com

Fane Valley Group has named Action Mental Health as their new designated charity partner. Northern Ireland’s largest farming co-operative have a long established pedigree of charitable involvement across their range of agri businesses, including award winning producers Linden Foods and White’s Oats.

With over 2000 employees across the group and operating multiple sites province-wide Fane Valley is recognised as a market leader within the agri sector and now plan to engage with their largely farming customers base to support the charity while educating and highlighting the sensitivities surrounding mental health.

“We are excited to announce Action Mental Health as our charity partner. This will be the first wider group charity effort for Fane Valley and we are delighted to be able to assist with the delivery of the AMH MenSana programme ‘Provoking Thought’, an exciting mental health awareness project designed to communicate on emotional wellbeing. Commented; Trevor Lockhart – Fane Valley Chief Executive

“We feel that the time is right for Fane Valley and our group of companies to support and highlight mental illness in all its forms, both within the co-op and especially to our customers and their families. Mental illness comes in all shapes and sizes and we feel that we can practically assist in preventative signposting and educational advice to both staff and their family and our farmer audience at school, work and on the farm. We look forward to interacting with the Action Mental Health team over the coming months through a series of fundraising initiatives and tailored group discussions.” Concluded; Mr Lockhart

David Babington, Action Mental Health – Chief Executive remarked:
“We’re delighted to have been chosen by Fane Valley as their charity partner and are enthusiastic to deliver a programme of exciting fundraising events for both group staff and the wider farmer network. Fane Valley’s support will mean that Action Mental Health can equip 11-25 year old students throughout Northern Ireland with the knowledge and skills needed to nurture their mental wellbeing by investing in their emotional education through our ‘Provoking Thought’ programme and series of workshops delivered under our MensSana project.”

Mr Babington continued: “We know that one in four people will experience mental ill-health at some point in their life with countless more being affected through friends, family and work colleagues, so this partnership will prove vital in raising funds and awareness both inside and outside of the workplace. We are hugely grateful to Fane Valley for this opportunity and look forward to working closely with them in the future.”

To kick-off the new partnership, Fane Valley have helped raise £1,225 from visitor donations across a variety of trade shows during the summer, including Balmoral, Armagh & Clogher Valley Shows.

Welcome to a 9 day celebration of Newry, Mourne and Down’s Coastal Flavours and Culinary Feasts.

We have 9 days of culinary events, produce, tastes, dishes and activities for every foodie.

Whether you live locally, want to visit for lunch, a day, a short break or a whole 9 days of feasting, the Newry, Mourne and Down region has a warm welcome awaiting for you.