Victorian Small Employer of the Year Award

Victorian Small Employer of the Year Award

The Victorian Small Employer of the Year Award will be presented to a small enterprise which has achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training to its employees.

The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world class training system. The winner may represent Victoria at the 2011 Australian Training Awards. 

Eligibility and conditions

To nominate an organisation must:

• Have fewer than 40 employees. This can include full-time, part-time and casual employees.
• agree to the full Conditions of Entry. 

Nominations will not be accepted from:

• Enterprises/organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training. These organisations should refer to the Training Provider Award categories.
• Branch Offices of large enterprises are not eligible to nominate for this award (please note, however, franchises may nominate if their training activities are organised independently of the franchise group).

Preparing your application

• Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of twenty (20) A4 pages including attachments. Any material in excess of twenty (20) pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
• The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however, any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.

Section A: Overview

Provide an overview of the training* program(s) delivered by your organisation, including objectives, a description of the environment in which the programs are delivered and any specific challenges which have been encountered in the implementation of the training program.

* denotes nationally recognised training, i.e. training which is based on a National Training Package or Accredited Course and results in a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment by a Registered Training Organisation.  This includes Australian Apprenticeships.

Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria

• Criterion 1: Extent and quality of education and training for employees
• Criterion 2: Achievements of the business, or its employees, that is attributed to training
• Criterion 3 : Integration of training into business planning 
• Criterion 4 : Innovation and excellence of design and delivery of training

Addressing the criteria

When developing your application against the award criteria, you may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below, if they are relevant to your organisation. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include.

1. Extent and quality of training for employees

Consider:

• your involvement in designing or developing training specifically for your business, either alone or in partnership with a training provider 
• how much you spend on training for your employees 
• the amount of time (on average per month) that your employees spend in training activities 
• the amount of on-the-job training and how you integrate on-the-job and off-the-job training. 

2. Achievements of the business, or of its employees, which may be attributed to training

Consider:

• how you measure the benefits of training and how you think training will improve your business in the future 
• how you inform employees and people outside your business about how training improves your business 
• any success stories about your training and how the business and staff have benefited. 

3. Integration of training into your business

Consider:

• how you find out about the training needs of your employees 
• how training fits into your business planning and any evidence that your business has an ongoing commitment to training or a training culture 
• the training aims of your business. 

4. Innovation and excellence

Consider:

• details of creativity, excellence and/or innovation in the design, development and delivery of your training 
• any methods you use to create positive relationships or partnerships with others to enhance the effectiveness of your training 
• any measures you use to encourage access to training for your employees. 
• Evidence that e-learning has been embedded within the organisation’s business strategy and forms an integral part of the organisation’s delivery

What assistance can I get to write my application?

A seminar to assist nominees to write effective applications will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at 4.30pm at Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street.

Checklists

Nomination checklist

When completing your application, check that you:

• Meet all of the eligibility requirements for the category;
• Use 12 point fonts only;
• Keep to twenty (20) A4 pages including attachments;
• Directly address the criteria in your written application;
• Read and agree to conditions of entry;
• Meet the deadline of 6 May 2011 at 5pm (date all applications need to be received);
• Submit online

Criteria checklist

Have you answered all of the following criteria?

• Criterion 1: Extent and quality of education and training for employees
• Criterion 2: Achievements of the business, or of its employees, that is attributed to training
• Criterion 3: Integration of training into business planning 
• Criterion 4: Innovation and excellence of design and delivery of training