Sheffield Central MP the Rt Hon Richard Caborn presented Sheffield based organisation Skills for Justice with the Investors in People award on 26th January 2009 recognising its commitment to investing in the talent of its employees.

The award was presented at the Skills for Justice headquarters on Atlas Way, just off Brightside Lane, in Mr Caborn’s Sheffield Central constituency. The achievement shows the commitment the organisation has to developing the skills of its talented staff, many of whom are locally-based.

Skills for Justice works to ensure that organisations in the Justice sector have the necessary skills and staff to be productive, efficient and effective, thus helping to reduce crime, the fear of crime and to create safer communities. Therefore, this Investors in People achievement sets a good example to the organisations that Skills for Justice works with,that investing in the talent of your people is hugely important,particularly in these times of economic instability.

Mr Caborn said, “I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Skills for Justice on being accredited as an Investor in People. To be among the best that the assessor has ever come across is a great accolade. Hopefully now Skills for Justice will go from strength to strength. I am a huge fan of the Investors in People programme,as it brings a discipline into business that shows a commitment to success.”

The Investors in People Standard is a business improvement tool designed to advance an organisation’s performance through its people. Over 30,000 UK organisations are recognised as Investors in People, covering a wide range of UK industries.

Invests on People Assessor Mark Wem had commented specifically on how supportive Skills for Justice employees are of the organisation, understanding the vision and demonstrating its policies. He stated that Skills for Justice was “among the best he has ever assessed”.

Skills for Justice is employer-led and works to ensure that organisations in the Justice sector have the necessary skills and staff to be productive, efficient and effective, thus helping to reduce crime, the fear of crime and create safer communities.

They provides additional benefits and value through a coordinated approach to skills issues, better use of resources, increased ability to attract development funding into the sector and increased ability to meet the needs of the individual countries in the UK.

This support is provided through four main work programmes:

• Engaging with and influencing employers, government departments, devolved administrations and all key partners
• Understanding and articulating clearly the current and future skills needs of those working in the Justice sector
• Developing tools and services to improve the skills of the workforce, working with employers,learning providers and individuals
• Implementing practical solutions to improve the skills of the workforce, working with employers,learning providers and individuals

Their vision is to be a leading recognised Sector Skills Council, delivering a world-class skills agenda to the Justice Sector. They operate across the UK Justice sector, with offices in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, working with a variety of employers in Community Justice, Courts, Custodial Care, Police and Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Forensic Science, and the Children’s Workforce.