THE TEAM behind White’s IGA, the husband-and-wife duo of Michael and Roz White recently took home the coveted ‘Large Employer of the Year’ at the 62nd Queensland Training Awards.
The Whites who have been in the business for 30 years own six IGA supermarkets across the Sunshine Coast including local shops Bli Bli, Mount Coolum, and Peregian Beach and they employ over 500 staff.
Roz said the award was fantastic recognition for the business which places high priority on the extensive training for all staff along with the development of a training platform that currently supports more than 1,400 IGA stores.
“I know it’s a cliché, but we really do treat our staff like family, we care for them as people, and we want them to embrace our culture.”
“This is an absolute honour for Michael and I, and it reinforces our commitment to engage in different areas in our community, including working with local schools and training groups to attract team members and support apprenticeships, advocating for local producers through our Locavore program as well as our incredible customers to create a vibrant and diverse community,” Roz said.
Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton said being a regional winner is an amazing achievement but taking home a state title is an incredible feat.
“It is great to see White’s IGA win an award for their exceptional dedication to training and supporting their employees and community and I hope this will inspire more locals and employers to pursue their own goals through vocational education and training.”
“Congratulations to Roz and Michael White and all their staff members – not only have you made our region and community proud, but Queensland too,” Mr Skelton said.
This latest award follows years of industry recognition and accolades for the Whites, which includes the IGA National Store of the Year in 2021 and in July this year, White’s IGA won two IGA national awards of excellence which included Customer Service and Experience at White’s IGA Baringa and Delicatessen of the Year at White IGA Mt Coolum.
White’s IGA is now eligible for the national award at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart on Friday, November 17 this year.