The Colas Group’s has won an Investors in People Bronze Award for its ongoing commitment to staff development.
The award comes just four years after the Group first attained IIP status, with the IIP Assessor describing the Company as ‘committed to achieving continuous improvement’, with new initiatives and development having taken place since the first assessment in March 2006.
The two-day visit by Island-based IIP Assessor Peter Clarke saw 20 of the 65 workforce interviewed, with particular focus on identifying good practice and making recommendations for future development.
In his report, Mr Clarke observed, "Particular emphasis has been placed on learning and development, business planning mechanisms, communication and consultation mechanisms. As a result, staff were generally well-informed as to the aims and objectives of the company and their roles and responsibilities."
Colas Group Managing Director Steph Lowe is delighted with the dedication shown by the workforce: "We wouldn’t be able to achieve such prestigious awards if it wasn’t for the commitment shown by our team," said Steph.
"To achieve 'The Standard' - the award that is at the heart of the IIP ethos - an organisation must meet 39 'evidence requirements', which range from proving that staff are involved in planning our business strategy to ensuring employees’ development needs are met. Others include encouraging staff to contribute ideas, and ensuring that they feel their contribution is valued.
"To achieve the Bronze Award, you must then meet an additional 26 of these evidence requirements – during our assessment, we met an additional 39 requirements, so we comfortably achieved the Bronze. We are now working our way towards the Silver Award, which will hopefully come during our next assessment in three years’ time."
Minister for Trade and Industry David Cretney MHK presented the award to Steph Lowe at the Colas Group’s Broom House headquarters in Malew.
Mr Cretney said, "Since it was formed in 1993, Investors in People has, over the years, become the standard by which all organisations are judged in terms of development and welfare of their staff. To be awarded one of the new awards for further achievement so soon after first being accredited by Investors in People is a credit to the Colas Group and its workforce."
Meanwhile, two long-serving Colas employees have been appointed to the Group’s Board of Directors.
Seymour Corkill has been appointed Director of Quarrying, Manufacturing and Waste. Seymour joined the group in 1990, starting at Colas before joining Billown Lime Quarries as Quarry Manager’s Assistant two years later. He became Quarries Manager in 2001, having become an Associate Member of both the Institute of Asphalt Technology and the Institute of Quarrying.
Latterly, Seymour has been working his way through levels 2, 3 and 5 of the Institute of Leadership and Management, which culminated in his appointment as Director in November 2009.
John Fayle started with Colas in 1980 from school and progressed through various levels including Foreman, Supervisor, Contracts Manager and General Manager, culminating in his appointment as the Director of Products and Processes in November 2009. John has vast experience and an in-depth knowledge of the contracting business and, like Seymour, also achieved levels 2, 3 and 5 of the Institute of Leadership and Management.
"John and Seymour’s appointments are a reflection of their contribution to the Group’s continuing success," said Steph. "They are both long-serving employees who the Company has nurtured and are great examples of the Group’s ethos of promoting from within. They have earned their recognition."
Pictured (l-r): John Kelly, Director (Finance); Sara Colley, Development Executive for the Department of Trade and Industry; Minister for Trade and Industry David Cretney MHK; Steph Lowe, Managing Director; Seymour Corkill, Director of Quarrying, Manufacturing and Waste; and Johnny Fayle, Director of Products and Processes.
