For the second time in three years, the Galway-based medical devices company Boston Scientific has won the 'Company of the Year' award in the prestigious Engineers Ireland Continuing Professional Development (CPD) competition.

The awards recognise those companies that have demonstrated clear-cut business benefits arising directly from their CPD practices in developing engineering employees, and celebrates the achievements of accredited companies.

Accepting the award on behalf of the company at a breakfast function in Dublin, the company’s Facilities Manager, Declan Slemon, said that with rapid growth in their employment levels at 2,800 at present, the CPD programme had helped to ensure staff retention and to consolidate the talent bank at their facility.

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The results of the competition were announced by the Minister of State for Labour Affairs, Billy Kelleher, who in his speech recognised the contribution that engineering had made to Irish society to date and its key role in ensuring Ireland's competitiveness into the future.

The three category winners were Biomedical Engineering Dept at Cork University Hospital, for the small-sized company, medium-sized TOBIN Consulting Engineers, and Project Management Group for the large-sized sector.

The Director General of Engineers Ireland, John Power expressed his delight with the large number of high quality entries received, and said that the programme was making a vital contribution to sustaining Ireland's global competitiveness.

"Ireland Inc. needs to be able to compete successfully in a global marketplace. Organisations that adopt best practice in the continuing professional development of their employees are giving themselves an edge when it comes to recruitment and retention as they will attract and retain the most talented individuals."

All finalists achieved Engineers Ireland CPD Accreditation which recognises and stimulates good organisational practice in the area of professional development for engineers and technical staff.

(JM)