Increased Investment in People

47% Increase in Employers Investing in their People

Over 32,000 UK organisations are now working with the Investors in People Standard. Over the past two years, a record 10,491 organisations have been recognised as Investors in People, representing a dramatic 47% increase in uptake.

The Investors in People Standard was developed in 1990 in collaboration with the UK's leading businesses both large and small. The Standard provides a framework for improving business performance and competitiveness, through good practice in human resource development. At an industry sector level, the Standard which was promoted by National Training Organisations, is increasingly promoted by the emerging Sector Skills Councils.

Over 27% per cent of the UK's workforce is now working for recognised Investors in People organisations, which use the Standard to align workforce development with their strategic organisational goals. People-focused strategies have been proven to increase staff motivation, customer satisfaction and productivity. This in turn has a positive impact on bottom line performance.

Robseal Roofing was named as the 30,000th organisation to achieve Investors in People recognition. The company wanted to use the Standard's framework to minimise its staff turnover and maximise its current resources in light of the skills shortages affecting the sector.

Ruth Spellman, Chief Executive, Investors in People UK, said: "A 47 per cent rise in uptake of the Standard demonstrates that people-development is increasingly pivotal to business success. Investing in people is at last becoming a number one priority for employers throughout the UK.

"The Standard's success results from its flexible framework, which helps to create a happy, productive environment and improves business performance, regardless of an organisation's size or sector."

Richard Blackwell, Managing Director at Robseal Roofing said: "Being recognised as an Investor in People has increased our credibility in the eyes of customers. It has improved our competitive edge, as we can now offer a quality trained workforce of the highest calibre. Employers who make an investment in their people will see this returned with an increase in productivity and consequently profitability."

A wide range of organisations from electrical retailers to chartered accountants are now putting people at the heart of business and reaping the rewards of a more determined, skilled and motivated workforce.