WA Small Business of the Year

sponsored by the Australian Institute of Management

The WA Small Business of the Year will win an $8000 training scholarship grant and the chance to represent the State at the Australian Training Awards.

ELIGIBILITY

The WA Small Business of the Year award will be presented to an organisation with fewer than 40 employees (including full time, part time and casual equivalents).

Nominations will not be accepted from:

• branch offices of larger enterprises (please note, franchisees may nominate if their training activities are organised independently of the franchise group); or
• organisations whose core business is the delivery of vocational education and training (these organisations may nominate for a training provider award).

PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

Section A: Overview

Provide an overview of the organisation and how training* is incorporated into the organisation’s operations. Include details of the organisation’s training objectives, a description of the operating environment in which the training is delivered and any specific challenges which have been encountered in the implementation of the training. 

Section B: Selection criteria
Applicants will be judged against the following.

Criterion 1: Extent and quality of training for employees
Consider and address:

• your involvement in designing or developing training specifically for your business, either alone or in partnership with a training provider;
• how much you spend on training for your employees;
• the amount of time (on average per month) that your employees spend in training activities; and
• the amount of on the job training and how you integrate on the job and off the job training.

Criterion 2: Achievements of the business, or of its employees, which may be attributed to training
Consider and address:

• how you measure the benefits of training and how you think training will improve your business in the future;
• how you inform employees and people outside your business about how training improves your business; and
• ‘success stories’ about your training and how the business and staff have benefited.

Criterion 3: Integration of training into your business
Consider and address:

• how you find out about the training needs of your employees;
• how training fits into your business planning and any evidence that your business has an ongoing commitment to training or a ‘training culture’; and
• the training aims of your business.

Criterion 4: Innovation and excellence
Consider and address:

• details of creativity, excellence and/or innovation in the design, development and delivery of your training;
• methods you use to create positive relationships or partnerships with others to enhance the effectiveness of your training;
• measures you use to encourage access to training for your employees; and
• evidence that e-learning has been embedded within the organisation’s business strategy and forms an integral part of the organisation’s service delivery.

Section C: Attachments

Photographs
Include 10 photographs in digital format (JPEG or TIFF) which showcase the organisation or initiative at 300dpi (high resolution).

Logos
Include the organisation’s logo in EPS, TIFF or JPEG format at 300dpi (high resolution).

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

To be considered for an award, the following conditions of entry must be met:

• Applications must be received by 5.00 pm on Friday 11 May 2012.
• Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria.
• Applications must be a maximum of 20 pages including attachments.
• Applications must be typed in 12pt Arial font on single-sided, plain A4 paper and stapled in the top left hand corner. Do not ring bind or use cardboard covers, plastic sleeves or folders etc.
• All sections of the application form must be completed. The form must also be signed by the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the organisation.
• By entering the Awards, finalists and winners agree for their photographs, profiles and training details to be used for promotional purposes by the Government of Western Australia.
• Applicants must comply with Department standards in regards to training, workplace health and safety and industrial relations matters.
• The Department may refuse to proceed with an application at any time where an applicant is under investigation by the Department or has unresolved issues with the Department.
• Finalists must be available to participate in an on site visit conducted by selection panels between 23 July and 3 August 2012.
• Finalists must attend the Awards Presentation Dinner on Friday 14 September 2012.
• Applicants must agree to abide by the decision of the selection panel and no appeals will be entered into. 

 

*denotes nationally recognised training, ie training which is based on a National Training Package or Accredited Course and results in a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment by a registered training organisation. This includes Australian Apprenticeships.