SummitSkills, the Sector Skills Council for building services engineering, was delighted to receive a visit from local MP Mark Lancaster to celebrate its achievement of the Gold Standard Investors in People (IiP) award, which showcases inspirational employers who adopt the highest levels of people practices in their organisation.

Across the UK, 35,000 organisations have satisfied the IiP standard, but only 100 have achieved the prestigious Gold Standard. SummitSkills, based in Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, is the first sector skills council to achieve this.

Having first been accredited by IiP in January 2007, SummitSkills were awarded Gold Standard following a rigorous independent inspection process that recognised strengths in people management including approach to work-life-balance, talent management through the comprehensive induction programme, an innovative approach to recruitment and the loyalty and commitment from the managers.

Mark Lancaster said: “It is tremendously encouraging to see the people behind SummitSkills recognised in this way. The IiP Gold standard puts further achievement firmly in the spotlight. IiP isn’t about what happens to people, it’s about what people make happen. Congratulations to you all on such a well deserved award”.

Keith Marshall OBE, Chief Executive of SummitSkills commented: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the Investors in People Gold standard. This award celebrates the success, not just of our organisation, but the people behind it, who share the honour of reaching such a significant milestone. We should all give ourselves a pat on the back – this achievement reflects the efforts of every one of us.”

For organisations to receive IiP Gold standard they must achieve a minimum of 126 evidence based requirements beyond the basic standard, where 39 evidence based criteria are required.