STARTNEXTWEEK.COM.AU, the world’s first online training resource, was awarded Best Classifieds in a night of recognition for leaders of the multimedia industry at the 14th Annual Australian Interactive Media Industry Association (AIMIA) Awards 2008.

The coveted AIMIAs, held in Sydney, are the peak awards in the national digital industry and recognise innovation and leadership in the sector.

The Best Classifieds award was judged on a range of criteria including design innovation, visual impact and aesthetics, usability, accessibility and technical expertise.

startnextweek.com.au received the award in recognition of its dynamic new site and innovative, world-first product offering and placed first against tough competition from domain.com.au.

Co-Founders of startnextweek.com.au, Richard Brooks and George Galanos said the award acknowledged the company’s groundbreaking product which has changed the face of Australia’s $5.2 billion training industry.

“startnextweek.com.au launched in October 2007 and we are immensely proud to be have been recognised by the multimedia industry so soon,” said Brooks.

“We are committed to delivering value for training providers and helping businesses and consumers compare, book and buy training. At present, more than 81,750 course places are listed on the site.

“Winning this award is a credit to the whole startnextweek.com.au team. This is worthy recognition and I congratulate all staff and our business partners, including Zeroseven.”

startnextweek.com.au was applauded for its seamless user experience, involving a clean, uncluttered design, functional navigation and personalisation tools that make it easy for businesses and consumers to source and secure discounted training courses.

Australian owned and operated, startnextweek.com.au enables businesses and consumers to search for and purchase training across the country at genuine last minute prices.

Brooks and Galanos conceived the startnextweek.com.au concept after recognising Australia’s critical skills shortage and acknowledging the need to make training more accessible and affordable.

“From bobcat tickets to business diplomas, all places are discounted up to 50 per cent and there’s no limit to the types of courses available,” Brooks said.

“The emergence of the internet offered the perfect platform to simplify, streamline and automate the process of sourcing and purchasing training.”