Derby law firm wins top national learning award

11/06/2009

Derby law firm Swindell and Pearson is celebrating its success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Derby law firm Swindell and Pearson is celebrating its success today after winning an award at the national learndirect Achievement Awards Ceremony.

Swindell and Pearson won the national Learning through Work Award, which recognises those individuals who have used learndirect Learning through Work to develop themselves and the business they work for as well as the businesses using Learning through Work to develop their workforce.

Swindell and Pearson attorneys specialise in patents and trade mark law. With support from the work-based learning team at the University of Derby, employees looked into organisational change within the company. They took the original project further than was originally planned, proposing changes within departments, and creating clear guidelines to ensure the success of the new teams. The firm has benefited from new efficiencies, improved client service, and profitability.

On winning the national award, Phil Mulchinock, Practice Director at Swindell and Pearson said: “learndirect has the ability to lift people into education who perhaps haven’t had the opportunities before. I think a natural teamwork comes out of Learning through Work projects, as individuals are not simply working together – they are learning together too. The projects have created a joined-up approach within the business as a whole, and also across teams within the company.”

The learndirect Achievement Awards, now in their third year, celebrate learners who are going that extra mile to learn new skills, businesses whose employees are gaining new qualifications, and the people and centres supporting them. The Awards recognise people from all walks of life, for example learners who have overcome personal difficulties or have returned to learning after many years, and businesses working with learndirect to train their workforce.

Swindell and Pearson had previously won the Learning through Work Award at the East Midlands regional learndirect Achievement Awards in June.

TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, who presented the awards with his wife Ruth Langsford said:

"Ruth and I are both delighted to support the learndirect Achievement Awards. We have worked with learndirect in the past to highlight the difference learning can make to people’s lives, and have seen first-hand how learners from across the UK are boosting their skills, improving their job prospects and becoming more confident. All the finalists are truly inspiring, and we were honoured to help celebrate their success at the national learndirect Achievement Awards ceremony.”

Chief Executive of learndirect, Sarah Jones said:

“The national winners and highly commended finalists have shown exceptional determination, and have gone that extra mile to learn new skills and improve their qualifications, or have supported others to achieve their goals. These finalists are an inspiration to millions of learners, support staff and businesses across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and truly deserve recognition.”

The national Learning through Work Award was presented by Verity Gough, Editor of TrainingZone.co.uk