Investors In People

This is an extract from the spring 2001 newsletter which describes how we obtained the award and what it means for the company and our employees.

Investors In People - Now It's Official!

Astley Hire have been awarded the coveted IIP Certification for the way in which the company involve the staff in all areas of the business.

IIP is a certification which recognises the way staff are trained and are allowed to become involved in things which affect them and their ability to perform better at work.

Astley Hire has been working towards the certification for some years and it has meant changing the culture of the business to one where staff are totally involved in decision making.

This starts from the day they are first inducted and continues through a process of continuous assessment of what skills they need. Training is then tailored in order to allow them to improve.

Staff are made aware of their importance to the company by ensuring that there is a clear trace of how an individual's targets fit within the overall company targets.

This could be where a new driver requires training on the safe delivery of machines to customers. This would tie in with the company's targets on Health & Safety.

Each member of staff receives an initial induction to the company and a training programme is established for the next 12 months setting out the individual's requirements.

This is then added to the overall company training plan. A lot of training takes place on the job with coaching from more experienced members of staff.

Some training is supplied by outside companies, this is the case for the Modern Apprenticeship scheme which we have introduced for trainees in the service department.

The directors of the company have been very pleased with the results of the initiative, as it has resulted in many benefits for the company.

Stephen Dorricott said that, "Staff now take ownership for their own development which is in line with the company's."

"Team performance has improved due to staff being able to affect the outcome of tasks through their own decision making."

"IIP allows us to maintain a family atmosphere while still ensuring everyone knows where they fit in to the overall plan."