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8th November 2001

The UK's largest mixed youth training organisation has achieved a prestigious National Training Award for training excellence with staff at its UK Headquarters at Gilwell Park in Chingford. The Awards, granted by the Department for Education and Skills, are regarded as the national number one accolade for businesses and individuals that have achieved lasting excellence and success through training.

The Scout Association, in direct competition with leading retail, media and service sector companies, was granted the Award in recognition of its work in the development and training of staff at its national Information Centre at Scout Association Headquarters.

Launched only three years ago, the Centre was set up to provide a six day a week service to the 450,000 Members of The Scout Movement. It offers instant access to resources, support and guidance in delivering the Scout Training programme in the 9,500 Scout Groups in the UK and assisting members of the public to find their local Group.

Information Centre Manager Simon Carter said: "When the decision to create a national centre was made we had the opportunity to start with a blank sheet of paper and create a facility that would meet the needs of the volunteers who are the backbone of Scouting. "From the outset we realised that however well we planned the systems and hardware, it is the staff that makes or breaks such a facility. It is the effectiveness of their training which not only ensures they can meet the needs of the customer but also maintains their attitude. "The National Training Award is a testament to the hard work and effort from all those within The Association and also the input from THR consulting of Long Eaton in Nottingham who worked with us to create the training programme."

The Information Centre has a staff of 13 operating in shifts to provide a service from 8am to 8pm throughout the week and on Saturday mornings to meet the needs of volunteer Members outside their working week. Currently it deals with more than 400 telephone calls, 300 e-mail and fax requests daily and has developed a thriving on-line ordering system which provides training materials throughout the world.

National Award winners at the London & South East ceremony including representatives of The Scout Association.