'Investors In People' Programme Hailed

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry has commended a Belfast City Council venture to help small to medium enterprises unlock employees' potential.

The Investors in People programme is receiving support from both the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) and Belfast City Council (BCC).

It provides small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the council area with the opportunity to work towards Investors in People (IiP) accreditation.

The Minister said: "We believe that a business succeeds by realising the maximum potential of its people and by actively managing their talent to unlock their potential. This programme will ensure that organisations get the best chance to achieve this.

"My Department`s Investors in People Centre aims to work closely with local councils throughout Northern Ireland in this latest venture. In this latest venture, part-funding from both DEL and Belfast City Council ensures that the participants receive the business benefits from the programme in the most cost effective manner.

"The UK Commission for Employment and Skills last year released the latest findings from an employer evaluation on the impact of the IiP framework. Seventy-one percent of businesses reported achieving the business results expected and 23% reported higher than anticipated benefits. Northern Ireland employers also experienced better results on a variety of fronts than their counterparts in the rest of the UK."

The Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Gavin Robinson said: "Belfast City Council itself achieved Investors in People status last year, so we know how important it is for the individual companies taking part in this programme to work towards IiP accreditation to reap the benefits it can bring. The programme enables SMEs across Belfast to invest in their staff and in turn improve on their individual business performances.

"I now wish all the businesses who are taking part in the programme every success in their goals to develop and grow their companies."

(IT)