How to become an Investor in People

The Council for the Homeless NI (CHNI) is inviting voluntary and community organisations to participate in the 'How to become an Investors in People' programme.

The course assists organisations to achieve theInvestors in People standard.

The training ran for the first time in April 2004 and proved to be a huge success with four of the participating organisations receiving the award; Ark, Belfast Community Housing Association(BCHA), Council for the Homeless and Triangle Housing Association.

Dermot Curran, chief executive of BCHA, said the process was very positive, "It has brought added value to our association's development and our corporate objectives will be successfully delivered with the assistance of the IIP process".

The programme comprises seven workshops:

1. developing business direction
2. setting measurable performance objectives
3. business planning
4. learning and development strategy
5. recognition and reward
6. people management
7. the Investors in People standard and the assessment process.

Ricky Rowledge, director of the Council for the Homeless NI also found the programme rewarding, "It has not only helped us actively focus on improvement but, more importantly, has allowed us to recognise and celebrate our strengths. Staff morale is high and we look forward to the future with confidence".

What is Investors in People?

The award is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation's performance through its people. The standard aims to improve the way an organisation operates, regardless of its size or nature.

The standard has three principles to improve the performance of the organisation:

1. Plan - developing strategies
2. Do - taking action
3. Review - evaluating the impact on performance.

Within these three principles are ten key themes, illustrated in the diagram below.

Funding: the programme is part funded by the Department of Employment and Learning and supported by the Council for the Homeless and NICVA.