by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Kent organisations have notched up a rare double for their training.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Maidstone, and Active Assistance, Sevenoaks, both scooped National Training Awards at a gala ceremony at the Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Effingham Park, near Gatwick.

Organisers say it is unusual for one county to have two top winners in the same year.

These two now go on to a national final in London where they will compete against victors from other regions for their category’s winner of the year accolade.

Regional awards were presented to other Kent-based organisations - The Avenues Trust, Sidcup, in partnership with Croft Management Trust, and Thanet council, in partnership with Europa Consultancy and Ability Professional Training.

The awards , presented by ITV Meridian personality Fred Dinenage, celebrate companies and individuals who have achieved outstanding business and personal success through their investment in training.

Active Assistance, a care provider, won an award for “Training for Carers working with Clients with Spinal Cord Injury living in their own homes.”

Kent Fire and Rescue Group, specialises in Fire Incident Command Training and scooped the award for “Developing the competence of Fire and Rescue Service Incident Commanders throughout the UK.”

Mr Dineage said: “This year’s recipients in the South East have set the benchmark high. Each and every one of them has proven that in today’s current climate, high quality training is an integral part of both personal and business development. It is great to see such a wide range of winners from our region go forward to the UK Gala Ceremony, it really does put the South East on the map.”

Simon Bartley, Chief Executive of UK Skills which manages the National Training Awards for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), said: “The winners in the South East have demonstrated that training is an investment not a cost and that it can transform companies, careers, and communities. I congratulate them all on what they have achieved.”

Skills Minister Kevin Brennan said: “It is more important than ever that we continue to support and invest in the training of our workforce, helping individuals develop their skills as well helping businesses stay competitive and prepare for the upturn and the opportunities the future will present.

“This year’s winners demonstrate the diverse range of training taking place within the UK and the benefits it is delivering to organisations and employees.”

The Avenues Trust won its award for “The Avenues Academy Diploma Programme,” and Thanet council for “Harnessing the power of partnership to achieve a STEP change in management performance.”