Primnary School wins top award

Edendork Primary School, which employs 23 people, was awarded the prestigious Investors in People (IiP) accreditation.

Springisland Supermarket, Coalisland, Willowbank Ltd in Dungannon and STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Programme), Dungannon were also recognised with at the glittering ceremony held in Hillsborough Castle.

The accreditations were formally presented to receipients by Dr Stephen Farry, Minister for Employment and Learning.

“Today’s event celebrates a diverse range of businesses from the private, public and voluntary sectors reflecting a cross section of NI employers who recognise the business benefits of Investors in People,” he said.

“It is an encouraging sign for our local economy that so many organisations, particularly small to medium sized enterprises, continue to work with IiP to make significant business improvements.

“It is clear that regardless of size, sector or location, Investors in People presents all your organisations with the opportunity to improve performance.”

The Minister was speaking to 35 businesses, schools and voluntary organisations with the prestigious IiP accreditation.

IiP 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.

Minister Farry added: “Obviously it is satisfying to receive your accreditation today, but the real cause for celebration is the improvements in the organisations that have achieved IiP status - improvements brought about as a result of hard work and commitment in effectively managing and developing their most important asset: people.

“After all, it is the people we employ that will get us through challenging times. It is their commitment and skills that will make the difference,” he said.

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 to individual business needs, with no longer a requirement for a paper trail.

The framework has also been extended to provide stretch for all businesses, who can now work towards achieving the core Standard or the recently added Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.