Investor in People

Merthyr Tydfil College was successful in gaining the prestigious Investor in People award in May 2004. This followed a three day process in which over thirty members of staff representing all sections of the College were interviewed by an external assessor.

This extensive assessment process is necessary to provide evidence that the standards required for the award are being met throughout the institution. All standards are grouped under four headings or principles:
Commitment
The organisation ‘is fully committed to developing its people in order to achieve its aims and objectives.’
Planning
The organisation ‘is clear about its aims and objectives and what its people need to do to achieve them’.
Action
The organisation ‘develops its people effectively in order to improve its performance’.
Evaluation
The organisation ‘understands the impact of its investment in people on its performance. The College was judged to have met the standards with ease and the written report was very complimentary. Here are some extracts relating to each principle:
Commitment
All employees felt very encouraged to develop by not only their managers and senior staff but also by mentors and the relevant processes in place.’
Recognition of commitment and hard work is felt to be recognised and rewarded with individuals able to give many examples of how their work has been publicly acclaimed and in some cases they have been recommended to attend prestigious event and activities.’
Planning
The strategic aims, mission and vision are all clearly communicated to the staff and contained in information given to them from induction onwards.
‘Union representatives could explain how they are involved in consultative meetings with senior management when the organisation’s direction and plans are discussed.’
Action
‘Interviewees strongly felt that the management style was very positive and gave them clear encouragement, communication, support andguidance.’ An impressive number of qualifications and standards are worked to and gained by staff, which are supported by the College including MBA, PhD, NVQ, ECDL, PGCE alongside practical Health & Safety, First Aid and COSHH.’
Evaluation
‘A relatively high proportion of the College budget is allocated to staff training.’ Discussion takes place between the individual and their manager on completion of a developmental activity and they are encouraged to disseminate any useful information or documentation they have gained to others who may benefit.’