Northumbria University wins top National Training Award

Leading businesses and individuals from across the UK gathered last night at the 24th annual National Training Awards UK Ceremony to celebrate those who have achieved outstanding organisational and individual success through investment in training, learning and development in the workplace.

At the ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate in London, it was announced that Northumbria University School of Law had been awarded with the coveted National Training Awards 2010 'Winner of the Year' accolade in the Providing Education and Training category, the only law school to have been honoured with this prestigious award.

The Law School received its award for developing a clinical legal education scheme as part of its Law degree where students are given a hands-on opportunity to practise law, handling real cases and real clients, through the School's Student Law Office. Designed to operate like a real solicitors' office, under the supervision of experienced lawyers, the innovative scheme enables students to provide free legal services to the general public. Northumbria's Student Law Office has received national and international recognition and is a showpiece for innovation in the UK.

NTA Judges were impressed with the real life experience that students gain from the training, which benefits their future employability, the University and the local community.

Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning Minister John Hayes said: "I am pleased to congratulate all of the National Training Awards Winners of the Year for investing in skills, helping their own businesses to grow their employees to boost their prospects. They should be extremely proud of their achievements.

"Improving skills is central to our plans to promote economic growth, and we want as many people as possible to have the chance to learn, whether as part of their career or away from the workplace. It is more important than ever that business invests in training, helping individuals develop their skills and firms improve their competitiveness.

"The creation of a highly skilled workforce not only helps individuals and the businesses they work for, but also contributes to making the UK economy more competitive on a global scale."

Simon Barley, Chief Executive of UK Skills which manages the National Training Awards, said: "I would like to congratulate Northumbria University on its National Training Award. Their training scheme tells an inspiring story and proves that high quality training is an integral part of both personal and organisational development and success."

Professor Philip Plowden, Dean, School of Law said: "We are thrilled that the Law School has been recognised with the NTA Winner of the Year Award. I know we were competing against some excellent projects from large companies from across the UK, so winning is a huge achievement. The award reflects the general excellence that is the hallmark of our work in the School."

The award caps a tremendous year for the Student Law Office at Northumbria. As well as being recognised as 'UK National Training Award Winner' for the scheme's success at the NTA North East Regional Ceremony held earlier in the year, they were also awarded the Attorney General's Pro Bono Award for Best Contribution by a Law School - an achievement which they have won not once but twice in the past three years. In addition, they were highly commended in the recent Law Society Excellence Awards and were shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year by Newcastle Law Society.