Praise for Awards System

A major strength of the Investors in People programme, which aims to improve the effectiveness of companies and organisations, is that it has a system of reviews to ensure that award-winners maintain and improve on their efforts. That’s the view of Mr John Alick Macpherson, depute chief executive of Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, who is presenting the awards at this year's IIP ceremony in Uist next month.

The event involves 12 local organisations, seven of whom have successfully passed their first review under the IIP system. The companies include builders, fish processors, community organisations, hotels and the North Uist Estate. Several, including the arts centre Taigh Chearsabhagh, Macleans Bakery, Angus G Morrison (builder), West Minch Salmon, and the community development organisation Proiseact Uibhist 2000 have chosen to have their plaques inscribed in Gaelic. Although Welsh has been used on plaques for many years in Wales, this is the first time Gaelic plaques have been presented. The presentations will be made on December 5 in the Orasay Inn in South Uist. 

Mr Macpherson, who is also a board member of both ferry company Caledonian Macbrayne and the UK Atomic Energy Authority, said experience of quality assurance schemes during his years working in Canada had left him sceptical about the benefits of such arrangements. However, his experience with IIP in the CCG, both getting the original award and passing the review stage, had left him convinced about the way organisations could benefit.

"What IIP does is bring organisations to focus not only on their management but also on the most important part of any organisation, which is their employees," he said.

IIP looks at the internal workings of an organisation, its planning processes, how it uses the skills and abilities of its staff and what it does to provide training and leadership for its employees.

In Scotland responsibility for delivery of the Investor in People programme rests with Local Enterprise Companies.

Mr Donnie Macaulay, chief executive of WIE, said the success of IIP in the Western Isles exceeded that of other areas in the UK and clearly demonstrated the commitment of local organisations to improving their effectiveness.