Bradford Council is setting new standards for staff development by gaining Investors in People status for almost a third of its workforce.

As a result there are more Council staff working for Investors in People (IIP) recognised services than any other single organisation in the district.

More than 1,000 staff in Legal Services, Education Contract Services (ECS), Social Services' Elderly Division and Transportation, Planning and Design have all worked to achieve the recognition - a national standard for good practice in business planning and employee development.

To make the IIP grade the divisions had to meet 23 measures which showed the Council was committed to training and developing all its staff.

Under the guidance of Bradford & District Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) the divisions acted as pilots for the scheme which is now being expanded across the whole authority with the aim of all departments meeting the Investors in People standard during the year 2000.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood praised staff for their combined efforts in achieving the seal of approval for their working practices.

He said: "This is a great achievement for the Council and shows our on-going commitment to improving the way in which we deliver services."

The assessor's report for Legal Services praised the division's open style of management and decision-making and how it handled communication with employees through management meetings, formal team briefings and presentations to staff on current issues affecting them.

Gerry Danby, Legal Services assistant director, said: "Recognition and credit for this achievement goes to every single member of staff - it is their combined efforts and commitment which have made this possible."

ECS, the Council's in-house provider of catering and cleaning services, is the most widespread section - with over 500 sites - to have gained the standard so far.

Neil Stoddart, education assistant director, said: "With over 1,600 employees working in schools and other buildings in Bradford it's important for their role to be recognised.''

The Council says lessons learned by the pilot divisions are already being put into general practice across the whole Council and they will be used as important guidance for other sections working towards IIP.

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