Small Employer of the Year

Sponsored by NT News.

Winner: Nail Lovers

Nail Lovers opened in 2012. Finding it difficult to recruit qualified nail technicians the salon owners embarked on a program of VET to ensure professionalism, customer service and high standards of hygiene.

VET has helped the business to streamline and professionalise its approach to training offering employees a Certificate III in Nail Technology. The VET qualification is supported with on-the-job training, monthly training nights to discuss trends, new product knowledge and showcase the latest techniques.

The business has 14 employees in a mix of full, part-time, casual and apprenticeship roles. The business is delighted that the training regime appears to have brought about stability in employee numbers and that half the staff have now been with the firm for over two years.

Runner up: Rainbows Holy Family Early Learning Centre

The Rainbows Early Learning Centre provides long day care and pre-school for children age two and a half to five years of age.

The centre has seven trainees undertaking Certificate III in Early Education and Care or a Diploma of Early Education and Care. Last financial year, two of the centre’s leaders completed a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management and are now undertaking the Certificate IV in Business.

The business supports the training with paid study time and a culture that encourages learning.

Training plans have been developed for each staff member and employees are expected to attend external courses and workshops to stay current, such as behaviour management, team development, programming, autism awareness, cultural sensitivity, and work, health and safety training.

The Rainbow Centre management attributes VET as a key factor in ensuring staff retention, promoting a culture of excellence and delivering a level of customer satisfaction that enables the centre to thrive.