RN's apprenticeship and development efforts honoured by Princess Anne

The Royal Navy’s training and development regimen will be formally recognised by Princess Anne next month.

The Learning and Development Organisation and the Naval Service Apprenticeship programme have earned the Senior Service a ‘badge of honour’ issued in the royal’s name.

The Princess Royal Training Awards, presented for the past three years, recognise businesses and organisations large and small which make the utmost effort to educate, nurture and support their staff, improving personal skills and knowledge, for the good of the individual, organisation and society in general.  

To join previous winners – including household names such as Halfords, Lloyds Bank, brewers Greene King and insurance giant Legal and General – the Royal Navy had to demonstrate:

1. that training and development was integral to the work and success of the organisation;
2. they deliver that training and nurture their staff efficiently and effectively;
3. that training and personal development have an impact both on the individual and the organisation.

Princess Anne was one of eight people casting their eyes over 2019’s applicants; judges are drawn from across the business/training/human resources world.

Patricia Stringfellow, chairwoman of the awards commission, said the Senior Service was “truly an exemplar of training and learning best practice”.

Which is music to the ears to Rear Admiral Will Warrender, Flag Officer Sea Training, who regards the awards as “the benchmark of excellence”.

He continued: “This prestigious award highlights the outstanding training, learning and development opportunities we offer our people – particularly our apprentices – who directly contribute to our capability as a modern, high-tech and innovative navy.”

The RN is one of 48 groups, firms and organisations which will be honoured by Princess Anne in person when she presents the awards at St James Palace in London on October 30.

In the meantime you can find out more about educational and developmental courses and opportunities in the Royal Navy at www.royalnavy.co.uk/navylearn