The environment in which businesses operate today is ever changing and it remains a key challenge to ensure that the workforce is properly skilled to unlock the opportunities presented by the new global economy. It is vital that the Investors in People Standard continues to keep pace with the business demands placed on employers and evolves in line with their changing needs.

Investors in People has been working with UK employers for the last 15 years, to help them drive productivity by putting people development at the core of their business. Today, Investors in People has nearly 35,000 recognitions across organisations employing 6.7 million people.

However, we don't want to stand still. The environment in which businesses operate today is ever changing and it remains a key challenge to ensure that the workforce is properly skilled to unlock the opportunities presented by the new global economy. It is vital that the Investors in People Standard continues to keep pace with the business demands placed on employers and evolves in line with their changing needs.

To ensure this remit is fulfilled, Investors in People UK undertake regular reviews of the Standard (approximately every five years), in addition we regularly review our organisation to ensure we remain fit for purpose (the most recent Quinquennial Review was in 2002).  The latest review of Investors in People UK was announced as part of the Government’s response to the Leitch Review of Skills (an independent review of the UK's long term skills needs).  It will provide a valuable and timely opportunity to further assess IIP in line with the Government's ambitions to raise productivity in an ever increasing globalised economy.

The independent review on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills will take place towards the end of the year and will include employers and stakeholders.  In light of this we plan to begin our next review of the IIP Standard once the organisational review has been completed.  This approach will ensure that the findings of the external review inform what the IIP Standard and associated products and services should look like.

We look forward to working with the Government in the coming months to ensure that all UK employers are given the opportunity to continue to reap the bottom line benefits of investing in their people.

Link to The Leitch Review
Leitch Review of Skills, Prosperity for all in the global economy - world class skills

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/leitch_review/review_leitch_index.cfm

Link to the Government response
World Class Skills: Implementing the Leitch Review of Skills in England

http://www.dius.gov.uk/publications/publications-leitchreview.htm