Member Article

Gold Standard: Ford Aerospace achieve IiP Gold Accreditation

FLOURISHING precision parts manufacturer Ford Aerospace has cemented its reputation as an employer of distinction by achieving Investors in People Gold at the first attempt.

Delighted company bosses say the prestigious national award is recognition of its long-standing dedication to staff development at all levels.

It was secured after assessment of its working practices by idg, the official partner for Investors in People in the North of England.

The South Shields firm proved its commitment to its staff by producing at least 165 pieces of evidence in line with the Gold standard criteria. That included documentation that showed 50% of its 98-strong workforce is undergoing advancement training at any one time.

The award means Ford enters an elite group of just 600 businesses or organisations in the UK at that level of attainment.

It comes soon after it secured contracts nationally and internationally which have seen its order book treble over the last 18 months.

Managing director Mark Podmore hailed the latest coup in Ford’s ever-growing success:

“Attaining gold standard truly is an incredible achievement. It proves that Ford is absolutely committed to its workforce and to achieve Gold standard at our first attempt is an excellent achievement by all employees”

“We want our staff to reach their full potential and we work very hard at all times to provide a vibrant working environment which encourages that.

“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.”

He added: “Staff right across our company, from those on the factory floor to management, can access our training initiatives.

“Our strong commitment to taking on apprentices and developing them for the future has also been recognised by our Gold award.”

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.

Less than three percent of IiP organisations nationally achieve gold recognition. That level of attainment signifies the organisation has achieved world-class best practice, is truly cutting-edge and operates at the very highest levels of people management practice.

IiP is the recognised standard framework by which businesses and organisations can judge their development and working practices.

Approximately 259 Gold organisations work with idg across the North of England, Isle of Man and Channel Islands. Of these only 11 are noted as being in the manufacturing sector. That figure drops further in the North East where 68 Gold businesses work with idg, of which three - including Ford - are in the manufacturing sector.

Ford’s specialist staff development programmes have helped it gain the skills needed to recently expand into the fast-growing Chineseaerospace market and other global growth areas. It currently exports around eight percent of its products.

To find out more about Investors in People and how it can support your organisation to improve, develop and grow, visit the idg website at www.i-dg.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by idg .