ITI Articles

A strong commitment to staff development has earned NZMA's Auckland West Academy a place amongst the crème de la crème of West Auckland businesses. 

The academy has just been named a finalist in the prestigious 2009 Westpac Waitakere Enterprise Business Awards and will now battle it out against four other local companies for the Trusts Training and Development Business Award.  Mitre 10 Mega, Framework Trust, Pacifika Consulting and the Professional Bar and Restaurant School have also made the final cut.  The grand winner will be announced during a celebratory gala dinner at the Trusts Stadium on October 16.  More than 500 people are expected to attend.

Auckland West Academy Manager Gillian Askew said making the top five was a big thrill for the academy.

"It's wonderful to make it into the finals and is a great achievement for our team.  This particular award focuses on employee training - the way that we approach things like staff development, professional development, skills improvement.  We believe very much in training not only for students, but also for our staff.  It's at the heart of what we do.  Our tutors are continually in a process of self improvement and development and therefore they are better able to guide and encourage our students.  The tutors are modelling training and development themselves and are putting their money where their mouths are," she says.

NZMA places a huge amount of value on staff training.  They put on regular training days and provide allowances for staff development.  All staff members within the company are strongly encouraged to pursue training in line with their roles.

"We are closely aligned with industry training organisations, such as HSI (the Hospitality Standards Institute), with the expectation that staff keep up with industry best practice and innovations," explains Gillian.