SME aerospace manufacturer Ford Aerospace has proved itself an employer of distinction by scooping an Investors in People Gold Standard at first attempt.
The prestigious standard for staff development was secured after lengthy scrutiny of Ford Aerospace’s working practices by Improvement Development Growth Limited (idg), the official partner for Investors in People (IiP) in the north of England.
Ford Aerospace impressed auditors from idg by producing at least 165 pieces of evidence in line with the gold standard criteria. This included documentation showing that 50% of the company’s 98-strong workforce is regularly in advancement training at any one time. The company apprenticeship programme was also praised.
The award means Ford enters an elite group of just 600 businesses or organisations in the UK in IiP Gold Standard. This represents under three per cent of organisations in the UK.
MD Mark Podmore said the award proved Ford’s absolute commitment to maximising the potential of its workforce. “To achieve Gold standard at our first attempt is an excellent achievement by all employees,” he said.
Emphasizing the business value of investing in workforce development Mr Podmore observed: “By ensuring we have satisfied and motivated people working for us, Ford will remain cutting edge and capable of delivering our products on a global basis.”
Mr Podmore credited Stephen Winfield, Ford’s finance and IT manager, and Joanne Williams, HR and payroll officer as being instrumental in handling IiP along with the workforce as a whole.
Ford’s success in the IiP framework comes on the heels of important national and international contract wins. These contracts have seen the company order book treble in 18 months.
This expansion and future targets for further international growth are reflected in Ford’s award winning development programmes which include skills development for the fast-growing Chinese aerospace market.
IiP is the recognised standard framework by which businesses and organisations can judge their development and working practices.
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Enter our People and Skills award in the Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2012 and benchmark youself againt other exemplar organisations.
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