SWINDON firms have been urged to apply for the 2005 National Training Awards.

The competition is open to all companies which reap the rewards of training.

Workshops to help formulate entries are being run across the south west and in Swindon will be held on Thursday, March 10 between 9am and 12.30pm and 1.15pm and 4.45pm at the Learning and Skills Council offices in the Bora Building, off Chelmsford Road in Westlea.

Last year there were 73 entries from the south west.

Dr Graeme Hall, chief executive of UK Skills, the organisation which runs the awards for the DfES, said: "The awards are often viewed as a barometer of the UK's changing attitudes to training."

To find out more or book a workshop place call 0800 917 7337 or log on to www.nationaltraining awards.com