Investors in People

There is no mystique around the IiP Standard. In essence, it identifies the good practice aimed at ensuring that organisations are able to achieve their business goals because the staff – their biggest asset - are trained and developed accordingly. It’s as simple as that.

Staffordshire University achieved Investor in People recognition status in October 2003. We are due for re-recognition this year.  The formal assessment is scheduled to take place during October 2009.

The University remains committed to the view that there is no point in seeking recognition as an Investor in People unless working towards provides added value to the organisation. In other words, it’s the journey to recognition that is important, not the badge itself. When the University first achieved recognition in October 2003, Schools and Services sought recognition as quasi-autonomous units between August 2000 and July 2003. During this time, 25 separate ‘Building Blocks’ were recognised. This approach ensured that that the principles of the IiP Standard were deeply embedded within the organisation. In achieving Investor in People status we went some way to fulfilling the demands placed upon us by other external agencies e.g. QAA Audit, professional body recognition, RAE.

As a mature and confident organisation approaching re-recognition, the University has determined to identify and train its own internal reviewers to assess whether the University continues to meet the Standard.

The Internal Reviewers will be accredited by Investors in People, UK. The added value in this approach relates to investment in the professional development of this group of staff and their use in a range of other quality enhancement initiatives e.g. quality audits, subject reviews, award validations etc. Following an invitation for expressions of interest, 9 Internal Reviewers have come forward.

• More about the Investors in People Internal Review Process

In October 2009 a representative sample of staff will be chosen to be interviewed – about 70 in the case of our University.  The Internal Reviewers will conduct these interviews – with the exception of the most senior staff who will be interviewed by the External Assessors.

• Cascade this information to your line managers.   
• Disseminate the emerging strategic plan to your staff. 
• Ensure appraisals have been carried out.           

Each appraisal interview should link the appraisee's professional development needs to Faculty/School/Service and University planning objectives.  The appraisee's objectives, agreed at the appraisal interview should, as far as possible, be measurable and capable of subsequent evaluation.