THE Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards, now in their 11th year, will break fresh new ground in June with the introduction of two new categories, while other elements of the initiative have been revised and revitalised.
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 Mount Charles, Henderson Group, Ulster University, Queen’s University, Phoenix Natural Gas, Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council, Carson McDowell and Titanic Belfast.
The two new awards for 2017 are:
:: Employer for the future: This 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.
Irish News editor Noel Doran said: "We're delighted that the Workplace & Employment Awards, which are acknowledged as being among the premier awards initiatives anywhere in Ireland, continue to expand.
"We're equally thrilled at the pivotal role played in our initiative by our business partners. 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.”
Irish News business editor Gary McDonald, who also spoke at the launch, said: “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.”
A number of business organisations attended the launch, including the CIPR, Young Enterprise, Food NI, Retail NI, 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
