Investing in people has never been more important - Empey
5 November 2008
Thirty-seven local business organisations were today presented with the prestigious Investors in People accreditation by Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey.
Investors in People (IiP) has long been acknowledged as an important international marque of good business practice. It is a business improvement tool that helps organisations of every size, type and location to compete and succeed through improved people performance.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony today at Hillsborough Castle, Sir Reg paid tribute to the organisations receiving awards. He said: “The uptake of Investors in People in Northern Ireland is an encouraging sign for the local economy and should serve as an example to other employers not yet capitalising on the bottom line business benefits of the Standard.
“The importance of local businesses investing in their people is particularly relevant at this difficult time for industry, not only in Northern Ireland but on a worldwide scale.
“To ensure productivity and motivation levels do not suffer in the current climate, it’s important that employers actively manage change in the right way. The Investors in People Standard provides an excellent framework to do just that - providing employers with a practical, user-friendly business improvement framework that ensures people know why they are in business and have the skills necessary to make a difference in business performance.”
The Minister continued: “Some of the UK’s most senior business figures and union leaders recently urged employers not to slash staff training in a bid to cut costs in the current economic climate. I would stress to employers that it is the people we employ that will get us through. When markets are shrinking and order books falling, it is their commitment and ability to add value that will keep us competitive.”
The Minister pointed out that recognition of Investors in People was only the start of the journey for award winners and should not be seen as the end of a project. He said that accreditation was only the beginning of a sustained commitment to long term business improvement through skills acquisition and employee engagement.
Over 1,500 small, medium and large organisations from all sectors and sizes of business in Northern Ireland are currently working with the Investors in People Standard.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Investors in People (IiP) is a business improvement tool that helps organisations to compete and succeed through improved people performance. The framework is designed to help organisations develop the knowledge and skills of their people so that what they can do is what the business needs them to do.
2.In total, 40 organisations attained accreditation as Investors in People. They were as follows:
Alchemy Recruitment Solutions Ltd BELFAST
Anderson’s Pharmacy PORTADOWN
Aramark Campbell Catering BELFAST
Autoline Insurance Group NEWRY
Ballymena Academy BALLYMENA
Bangor West Dental & Implant Clinic BANGOR
British Council Northern Ireland BELFAST
Bryson Charitable Group BELFAST
Centra Stranmillis BELFAST
Centre for Applied Learning BELFAST
Clearco Services Ltd BELFAST
Composite Design Ireland LLP OMAGH
Downe Residential Project DOWNPATRICK
Droichead an Dóchais BELFAST
Dunluce School BUSHMILLS
Federal Security Services LISBURN
Frank Design & Communications Ltd BELFAST
Golden Cow Dairies PORTADOWN
Green & Montgomery Dental Surgery BELFAST
Henderson Group NEWTOWNABBEY
Holy Rosary Primary School BELFAST
JPM Contracts Ltd DUNGIVEN
McCue Interior Fitout Solutions CARRICKFERGUS
Mule Trading Limited CRAIGAVON
Mullan Gallagher Dental Group DOWNPATRICK
Northern Ireland Energy Agency BELFAST
NIE Infrastructure BELFAST
North Belfast Partnership BELFAST
North West Centre for Learning LONDONDERRY
& Development
Novosco Ltd CARRYDUFF
Pearl Capital Limited BELFAST
Praxis Care BELFAST
Quinn Dental RANDALSTOWN
Rosstulla School NEWTOWNABBEY
St Colman's Primary School BANBRIDGE
St Mary's High School LIMAVADY
SuperValu Randalstown RANDALSTOWN
Swifts Supervalu LISNASKEA
Taylor & Boyd LLP BELFAST
Ulster Supported Employment Ltd BELFAST
3. Photographs from the presentation ceremony are available on request from the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office.
4.Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning’s Press Office on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager, number 076 9971 5440.
