Entries for the world of learning awards reflect the growing maturity in the training industry

With the judging process now complete and a full evening of entertainment in place, the World of Learning Awards 2004, taking place on 17 November, are set to be the training industry event of the year.

The highly experienced judging panel of industry experts and practitioners said that the high quality of entries had risen to new levels of excellence across all categories this year.

Colin Buckley, Head of Operations - Learning Team for Ufi/learndirect, commented, I found this year’s awards the hardest ever to judge. The quality of all the finalists made every decision in every category difficult. All the entries were strong contenders and none of them could easily be eliminated from the running.

Alison Church, Awards Manager commented, With strong competition across the board, particularly in the new Training Venue of the Year category, the panel has made the decision to award Runners-Up and Special Commendations in a number of categories - a first this year - to recognise the high quality of those submissions.

The entries reflect a growing maturity in the industry. In particular, there is a greater focus being placed on measuring the return on investment on learning and development activities, which will be instrumental in ensuring that the industry continues to move forward.

Following a champagne reception and a sumptuous four-course dinner, top stand up comedian and writer Sean Lock will present the Awards, ensuring that the evening is a night to remember. Sean’s television credits include ’They Think It’s All Over,’ ’The Stand Up Show,’ and ’Never Mind the Buzzcocks.’ He has just returned from a successful Edinburgh Festival where he received a Perrier Nomination for ’No Flatley, I Am The Lord Of The Dance.’

The entertainment will continue into the night with a five-star DJ guaranteed to get everyone up and dancing.

This is the night when the who’s who of the training industry celebrate the highest levels of achievement in the sector. The standard of entries really raised the bar this year and all the organisations who put forward submissions have every reason to celebrate their accomplishments, concluded Church.