XLVets Skillnet has won the top award for Best Learning & Development Organisation – Networks & Groups at the Irish Institute of Training & Development (IITD) National Training Awards 2016.
The vets devised a strategy for addressing the problems faced by farmers through the delivery of relevant and practical training programmes.
“Farmers operate in an increasingly complex and challenging environment,” said Donal Lynch, veterinary surgeon from Tullamore who represented XLVets Skillnet at the event.
“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”.
“This award demonstrates the ability of veterinary practitioners to create additional value for the farming community through using training, development and coaching services as routes for delivering preventative healthcare to livestock herds,” said John Berkery, Chairman of XLVets Skillnet.
Sinéad Heneghan, CEO of the IITD, said the judges made the award 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.”
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
It is understood that since their inception, XLVets have had significant engagement from the farming community, the veterinary supply chain and academia.
XLVets is a group of 24 independent veterinary practices working together to achieve a better future for agriculture and veterinary in Ireland.
The IITD National Training Awards are recognised as Irish industry’s premier learning and development event.
XLVets Skillnet is funded by member companies and the Training Networks Programme, an initiative of Skillnets funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.
