It has enjoyed a 14% increase in the number of entrants participating, 14 of whom have been selected for the finals. This is the fifth highest number of finalists out of the 23 sectors represented at the awards, and according to the Awards body, the sector is “one of the most consistent performers year on year”.

Run by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills, the National Training Awards reward training and personal development for both organisations and individuals, and are often viewed as a barometer of the UK’s changing attitudes to training.

Dr Graeme Hall, acting chief executive of UK Skills said: “Training is clearly essential in getting the best out of an organisation’s people so that it can deliver on its objectives. However, given the tight restriction on resources within this sector training is often the first thing to be sacrificed. It’s encouraging to see that the voluntary, charity and community sector has maintained its commitment to developing the skills of its employees.”

All National Training Awards finalists will attend regional award presentations in the autumn, with the overall winners being invited to a special ceremony at the Guildhall in London on 23 November.