Staff and management at local firm, Speyside Scaffolding, are celebrating after the firm received the Investors in People award, the national recognition for organisations that aim to develop staff skills in line with business planning.

The company was formed in March 1999 employing just two but has since grown to a 12-strong firm.  Employees reach 'basic scaffolder' level after a three-year apprenticeship through National Vocational Qualifications.  Further training can then be undertaken to become an advanced scaffolder.  This formal training can make scaffolding a worthwhile and rewarding career.

After receiving the award, director, Mary Henderson, said:  "I am delighted that the company has been awarded Investors in People status and attribute this latest success to the ongoing commitment of our workforce.  We work extremely hard to provide a high quality scaffolding and safety net services for our clients, and success in this can only be achieved and maintained by continual investment in training to meet the needs of this growing company."

IiP for the company was achieved with advice and support from Moray Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise (MBSE).  Head of skills development team at MBSE, Wendy Galloway, said:  "The staff and management at Speyside Scaffolding have taken a very planned and progressive approach to staff development and the investors in people recognition for this is well deserved.  We always encourage companies of any size and type to consider IiP as part of their business planning and development.  In most cases it improves business, particularly planning, communication and management.  It can also help create a more positive working environment and many companies even attribute increased profits to IiP."