O&K Escalators has gained further endorsement of its Inves-tors in People (IiP) philosophy following the success of the company's first reassessment since achieving IiP status in 1994. O&K was the first escalator manufacturer in the world to achieve the prestigious IiP recognition, and managing director Bob Chapman says the company has gained substantial benefits by working to the criteria laid down within the standard.

He is delighted the first reassessment went successfully, and feels that working within IiP requirements is further contributing towards the company's ongoing efforts to achieve world-class manufacturer status. He says: "It is a glowing endorsement of our employees' commitment to both their work and the company itself. We endeavour to ensure that everyone within the organisation has the opportunity to further develop their skills and knowledge."

O&K continues to implement new training initiatives in support of the IiP philisophy, which runs alongside existing programmes and apprenticeship schemes. Tailored management development program-mes are continuing in the manufacturing sector, while the Field Operations department has an on-going training programme covering all aspects of site activity.

Further training and development is also taking place within specialist areas relating to specific contract work, such as the £52 million Jubilee Line Extension Project in London. The company is also currently implementing NVQ training schemes for fitters as part of IiP.

The firm's IiP programme runs in tandem with its quality assurance policy, which has also seen the company gain the prestigious ISO 9001 quality assurance accreditation, emb-racing all aspects of its operations.

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