The Skillset Awards recognise outstanding businesses, partners, organisations and individuals who have demonstrated phenomenal commitment to employment, skills development and partnership programs for 2021.

This year Skillset gave two major awards for businesses in the Parkes area, the Land Works Award and the Skillset Jim Todman Safety Award.

Northparkes won this year's Skillset Land Works Award, which celebrates partnerships between organisations that cultivate the training and education of local people and engage them into projects that also have environmental benefits for the land.

Skillset and CMOC Northparkes Mine partnered two years ago to work on the Kokoda Biodiversity Offset project.

'Kokoda' is an offset property of the mine and the project is dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of the biodiversity of the area.

The project trains and employs local Land Works crews, who rehabilitate the area with tree planting and revegetation management plans.

Since the project, over 18,000 trees have been planted.

Michael Thomas, environmental advisor for Northparkes, said the company was very pleased to be acknowledged for their efforts on the 'Kokoda' project.

"CMOC-Northparkes Mines are very honored to be the recipients of this year's Land Works Award," he said.

"Over the last two years, Northparkes and Skillset have developed a strong partnership in which multiple benefits have been directly seen through the community and environment.

"The Kokoda revegetation project fostered this relationship, and through the hard work of all those involved, it has seen the successful revegetation of future woodland from a degraded landscape.

"Recruitment for the project was targeted within the local community, acknowledging a high portion of indigenous peoples who received accredited qualifications and employment.

"Northparkes Mines takes great pride in what has been achieved and look forward to all future opportunities," said Michael.

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The Skillset Jim Todman Safety Award is presented annually to hosts who demonstrate high standards of safety, ensuring their staff - including apprentices and trainees - return home safely each day.

The award was named after the late Jim Todman, who was Skillset's safety officer in 2008 and 2009.

This year the award was presented to WNSWLHD for their ongoing commitment to ensuring their staff's safety with robust processes and protocols.

They were also recognised for innovation and forward planning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and instilling positive change for staff, patients, volunteers and visitors, and Matt Gersbach, eastern sector engineer, said it was great to be acknowledged.

"The Western NSW LHD is thrilled to receive the Jim Todman Safety Award," he said.

"We work extremely hard to provide a safe workplace for our employees and to be acknowledged by Skillset across a variety of industries is a great honour.

"We would also like to acknowledge our great partnership with Skillset in the development of our apprentices over the past 10 years," said Matthew,

Skillset CEO, Craig Randazzo, congratulated all winners and commended them on their commitment to skills and career development.

"Skillset are always exceedingly proud to host our annual awards to celebrate the achievement of our apprentices, trainees, programs participants and partnering businesses," he said.

"The commitment from all involved to support and foster skills development and jobs in regional areas is solidifying a bright and sustainable future for our people and our communities."

Congratulations to the award winners!

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