‘Insure’ your business success with Investors in People - Farry

Autoline Insurance Group is among 28 organisations from across Northern Ireland today awarded with the prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accreditation.
~ Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Speaking at a celebration event held at Hillsborough Castle to congratulate the organisations, Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning, said: “It is heartening to once again recognise the achievements of a wide range of businesses receiving Investors in People accreditation. Everyone knows we are experiencing a challenging time in terms of keeping businesses viable and competitive. However, I am convinced that this is the time to raise the skills levels of the workforce so that we are well prepared for the opportunities ahead. It is only by investing in our most important asset – our people – that we can ensure that the Northern Ireland of the future can compete economically on a global scale.

“Today we have a group representing the private, public and voluntary sectors reflecting a cross section of Northern Ireland businesses. Employers range from those with four employees through to one with almost 2,000, within a variety of sectors including Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Construction, Information Technology and Pest Control amongst us.”

The Minister added: “Leading European organisations have identified the development of the people they employ as the best way of gaining a market advantage. It is an encouraging sign for our local economy therefore that so many organisations, particularly Small to Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) continue to work with IiP to make significant business improvements. I hope that this group of successful organisations serve as an example to other employers not yet capitalising on the bottom-line business benefits of IiP.”

Investors in People has long been acknowledged as the most successful framework for business improvement through people. It helps organisations of every size, sector and location to compete and succeed through improved people performance. The approach to its delivery has recently changed, becoming more tailored and flexible to individual business needs, with no longer a requirement for a paper trail. Three new tiers of Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation sit above the existing standard and are aimed at both promoting a higher level of achievement and assisting organisations achieve long-term ambitions.

Investors in People is available and appropriate to organisations of all sizes and from all sectors of business in Northern Ireland. Further information on Investors in People is available on NIbusinessinfo

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. Over 1,500 small, medium and large organisations from all sectors and sizes of business in Northern Ireland are currently using Investors in People to transform their businesses.

3. The new IiP Health & Wellbeing Award defines health and wellbeing as focusing on the welfare of the ‘whole person’ - physically, mentally and emotionally. Its main benefit is the contribution it makes towards securing the employee engagement that organisations need to deliver change successfully. For more information, see http://www.investorsinpeople.co.uk/healthandwellbeing

4. The organisations receiving accreditation during this special ceremony were: (25 for recognition of the Investors in People Award and 3 for the IiP Heath & Wellbeing Award)

Allstate Northern Ireland Ltd., Belfast
Allstate Strabane, Strabane
Autoline Insurance Group, Newry
Belfast Boys' Model School, Belfast
Belfast Exposed Photography, Belfast
Carrickfergus Community Forum, Carrickfergus
Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic, Belfast
Contact, Belfast
Eskra Childcare Ltd., Omagh
JPR, Belfast
Lamont Cleaning & Support Services, Lisburn
L J McGrath Building Contractor, Ederney
Long's SuperValu (Eglinton), Eglinton
Long's SuperValu (Greenhaw Road), Londonderry
Long's SuperValu (Newbuildings), Newbuildings
Long's SuperValu (Woodburn), Londonderry
Newtownabbey Borough Council, Newtownabbey
Northgate Managed Services, Newtownabbey
North West Regional College (Functional Areas), Londonderry
Open Door Housing Association, Belfast
PSNI - Criminal Justice Department, Belfast
Stepping Stones NI Ltd., Lisburn
SuperValu Kings Road, Belfast
SuperValu Shantallow, Derry
The Concept Group, Dunmurry
Trócaire (NI), Belfast
Warner Chilcott UK Ltd., Larne
Women's Aid, Ballymena

5. Photographs from the presentation ceremony are available on request from the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch.

6. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7492. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699715 440 and your call will be returned.