ENTRIES are being sought from across the region for the annual East of England Construction Training Awards. The awards are now in entering their sixth year and organisers from the East Region Construction Skills Group are hoping to surpass the record number of entries received in 2008 despite the current challenging climate.

ENTRIES are being sought from across the region for the annual East of England Construction Training Awards.

The awards are now in entering their sixth year and organisers from the East Region Construction Skills Group are hoping to surpass the record number of entries received in 2008 despite the current challenging climate.

Martyn Price, chairman of the awards, said: “It has never been more important to recognise and reward the achievements of those individuals, companies and organisations who have demonstrated a real commitment to making a difference to the industry.”

The 2009 the awards - for which Archant, owner of the East Anglian Daily Times, is media partner - include a new category, SME Construction Employer of the Year, alongside existing awards including Construction High Flyer and Construction Apprentice of the Year, bringing the total number of categories to 12.

The awards are backed by Sector Skills Council ConstructionSkills, which is urging businesses throughout the region to maintain their commitments to workforce training in order to preserve their future and that of the industry.

ConstructionSkills chairman Sir Michael Latham, who will be making a keynote speech at the prize giving ceremony on October 1, said: “The construction industry is experiencing a particularly challenging period and businesses may be tempted to eschew training as a means of cutting costs.

“However, in the medium to long-term it is those that recognise their workforce is their greatest asset and nurture individuals through training that will be best placed to capitalise on the opportunities when the sector starts to recover from 2010.”

Gavin Napper, from Morgan Ashurst in Ipswich, who won the Construction High Flyer of the Year Award in 2008, added: “As a business, we are constantly striving to form the best project teams, help our people to fulfil their potential and deliver the best results for clients.

“By showcasing examples of best practice, these awards give construction teams a real boost and I would encourage others to get involved.”

The deadline for entries is July 3, so businesses interested in entering the awards should obtain an entry form by calling Amy or Charlotte on 0300 456 7428 or 0300 456 7249. Assistance and advice with completing applications is available by contacting Kim Bramham at kim.bramham@cskills.org.