ATTTO launches search for top training talent
A nationwide search is on for the best travel, tourism, museum and aviation trainees.
ATTTO has launched the search for New Zealand’s top trainees with the launch of its annual A+ Awards.
The awards, which are open for nomination now, give ATTTO an opportunity to recognise trainees who have made an extra
commitment to complete training, while making a valuable contribution and inspiring others within their workplaces.
The awards are supported by the Aviation Industry Association (AIA), Tourism Industry Association (TIA), Travel Agents
Association (TAANZ) and Museums Aotearoa. Award nominations are now open at www.attto.org.nz/aawards
There are five awards covering all ATTTO sectors, and two special awards:
• Aviation - Pilots, safety management, aeronautical engineering, aeronautical maintenance, air traffic control.
• Aviation Service excellence award - airport operations, ground operations, flight attendants, airport
operations.
• Tourism
• Travel
• Museums
• ‘Peoples’ Choice Award’ - Open to all finalists. A winner will be voted for by visitors to NZSkillsConnect.co.nz.
Voting will open 3 October.
• ‘ATTTO Supreme Award’. This is the overall winner from the five main categories above as chosen by ATTTO’s CE and
Chair.
ATTTO Chief Executive Kathy Wolfe said that the awards are a great way of recognising the work and commitment needed to
undertake training at the same time as working.
She said: “The launch of the A+ awards last year gave us the opportunity to highlight the commitment of our trainees,
and helped us highlight the success stories that training has underpinned.
“The high calibre of our trainees throughout the sectors was reflected in the range of nominations we received last
year. We’re hoping that employers and assessors will take the opportunity to identify their most committed and
successful trainees and nominate them for a 2012 award.
“Training is a key part of developing and realising the value of employees within organisations. It helps retain great
people, builds skills, increases productivity and makes a big difference to people’s confidence.
“Creating wealth, economically and socially; delivering value and quality; “being the best”; engaging in partnerships;
competitive businesses taking responsibility and great visitor experiences are all part of our aspirations across all
our sectors.
“We’d like to thank all the industry bodies for the continued support of the awards. Putting their names to the awards
helps underline industry support for high quality on-job training and give wider sector recognition for our winning
trainees.”
Nearly 1,400 people employed across the aviation, tourism, training and museums sectors completed an NZQA National
Diploma or National Certificate through ATTTO in the 12 months to 1 July 2012. All of these individuals are eligible for
the awards.
Last year’s ATTTO Supreme Award winner was Sam Chambers from United Travel, Mairangi Bay.
She said: “Winning the A+ awards has been of one the highlights of my career. I feel the award not only recognised the
effort that I’d put into completing my qualifications, but it also recognised the encouragement and support that I got
from my managers.
“Winning the award was a huge confidence boost, I’ve been able to use some of the award sponsorship to do some travel
and see more of the world that I sell to my clients. I’ve also used the study sponsorship to start my next
qualification, which is in business.
“If you are eligible to enter this year’s awards, get in there, get someone to nominate you or nominate yourself.”
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