THE Minister for Economic Development Allan Bell MHK will present one of the top awards at this evening’s Isle of Man Newspapers Awards for Excellence at the Villa Marina.
Mr Bell will hand over the Manx government’s award for ‘Freedom to Flourish’, recognising excellence in all aspects of the Island’s community.
The three organisations short-listed for the award are IOM Aerospace Cluster, Stewart Clague Services and the Nurse Training Division.
IOM Aerospace Cluster brings together 16 different companies which account for two thirds of the 1,200 engineering jobs in the Isle of Man.
The move has firmly positioned the Isle of Man as a centre of excellence for aerospace and aviation services. Successes include joint deals to save money on supplies and new work packages shared between the Cluster companies.
The Cluster recently exhibited at the Farnborough Air Show, raising the Island’s profile, building international links and generating new business. Existing clients include Airbus, Rolls Royce and Boeing.
Stewart Clague Services was formed 40 years ago and has expanded into the undisputed leader in its field. The company specialises in all aspects of the building industry, adapting to an ever-changing market and has managed to flourish even during the recent difficult economic times.
SCS has supported the development of the Island’s skills base to provide services locally which previously had to be sourced from off the Isle of Man. The company also created and maintains Ballanette Wetlands and Conservation Area which is open to the public.
The Nurse Training Division of the Department of Health has successfully reintroduced nurse training after a gap of ten years and has trained around 70 new nurses with more currently in training.
The Isle of Man was chosen as the first jurisdiction to provide a graduate nurse training programme in 2009 in association with Chester University. Mental health training has also been introduced at no additional cost.
Another initiative is a partnership created with a hospital in Germany for a student exchange programme which provides invaluable experience.
The Isle of Man Newspapers annual Awards for Excellence can be seen this evening online at:- www2.iomtoday.co.uk/AFE/AFE_2010/index.html Then click on live stream.
