XLVets Skillnet has won the top award for Best Learning & Development Organisation – Networks & Groups at the IITD (Irish Institute of Training & Development) National Training Awards 2016.
The awards were presented by Nicola O’Neill, IITD President and MC, Marty Whelan at the Killashee House Hotel in Naas on Friday 26th February.
Commenting after the ceremony, John Berkery, Chairman of XLVets Skillnet observed; “this award demonstrates the ability of veterinary practicioners to create additional value for the farming community through using training, development and coaching services as routes for delivering preventative healthcare to livestock herds”.
Now in its eighteenth year, the IITD National Training Awards is recognised as the premier Learning & Development event for industry. The purpose of the IITD National Training Awards is to promote excellence, best practice and innovation in training, learning and development and to highlight the importance of this area in today’s business climate.
Sinéad Heneghan, CEO of the IITD noted the judges made the award to XL Vets in recognition of “a highly effective initiative that has achieved engagement from the target community as well as corporate and academic support. This group took a proactive approach to resolving problems through education and delivery of relevant and practical training”
“As vets we need to get key messages across in a way that can make a difference on the farm.”
Donal Lynch, veterinary surgeon from Tullamore who represented XLVets Skillnet at the event commented; “farmers operate in an increasingly complex and challenging environment. Simply throwing more information at them is not helpful. As vets we need to get key messages across in a way that can make a difference on the farm. Training ourselves to be trainers is a key part of that”.
The training initiative was undertaken by XL Vets; a network of 24 veterinary practices. Since their inception, XLVets have had great engagement from the farming community, the veterinary supply chain and academia. XLVets saw the problems faced by farmers and devised a strategy for addressing them through the delivery of relevant and practical training programmes that link back to an overall objective of prioritising disease prevention in livestock.
Training and development is recognised as a critical success factor for future growth and competitiveness in many sectors. Farming is no different! Therefore the role of those responsible for the delivery and management of training is of vital importance. XLVets Skillnet is delighted to be part of this story.
