Simco blazes IIP trail

SIMCO is the first company in Guernsey to achieve the revised Investors in People standard. It was also, in 2002, the first light industrial company in Guernsey to attain IIP status.

Paul Gaukroger, Simco's head of human resources and the IIP working group, said the achievement was a credit to all the staff.

'This marks yet another milestone for the management and employees at Simco and shows the commitment that the company has towards its people.

'The staff's positive attitude and proactive culture is demonstrated by Simco gaining this status once again.'

The new standard focuses on aligning core business with development and leadership strategies and objectives.

The criteria are now compulsory for companies wishing to attain IIP status.

IIP began in the UK in 1993 and is managed in Guernsey by the Training Agency. It recognises that people are an organisation's greatest asset and developing staff can enhance and improve a business.

Mr Gaukroger said the benefits of IIP were proven.

'We strongly believe in the training and development of all our people,' said managing director Kevyn Beard.?

'It is fundamental to our success.

'To illustrate this point, 2005 was Simco's best year in its history,'

Agency deputy chief executive Fiona Naftel said she was delighted for Simco.

'It really is a credit to Paul and his staff and shows just how strongly committed they are to raising standards and encouraging a learning culture,' she said.