Staff Development Award

Richard Polley from The Learning and Skills Council talks about what he's looking for.
Previous Winners:
Norfolk & Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES)
Soup.

Recent research shows that those organisations who continue to train and develop their people in times of economic slowdown are two and a half times less likely to go out of business than those who don't. So the winner of this award will have shown how a strong commitment to developing its workforce has continued to pay dividends. It will probably have devised creative ways to invest in its workforce and will have demonstrated to the judges how it continues to position staff development as crucial to business success.

2009 Winner

The Lavender House - Richard Hughes, proprietor:- "I'm really pleased that The Lavender House has done so well in the EDP Business Awards this year and that the team's hard work has been recognised. Staff development is an essential part of the business and we strive very hard to ensure that all the staff have the best training possible, both in-house and via work placements, courses and culinary competitions. The Lavender House has a young, passionate and enthusiastic team and I'm very proud of them all."

2009 Finalists

De Vere Dunston Hall
Dunston Hall is part of the De Vere group, but the hotel's staff development programme far exceeds the standards set down by De Vere. In fact, the group development plans are the minimum benchmark for Dunston Hall, with managers developing their own motivational training initiatives, including creating exciting monthly games for employees to compete in with the objective of increasing morale and revenue whilst learning at the same time. Importance is placed on empowering and including employees during the recession and creating a new culture that will last. The result has been a significant increase in revenue and a lower turnover of staff.

The Lavender House
Staff are the major priority at The Lavender House Restaurant & Cookery School in Brundall, and chef/proprietor Richard Hughes actively encourages their development. He is incredibly supportive of his staff - he arranges (and pays for) relevant work placements to famous restaurants such as Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons so they can see how other businesses operate, be exposed to new ideas and methods, and work in different environments. Richard actively encourages his staff to go out for team meals, including trips to the capital from time to time, which he also pays for. They are encouraged to continue to learn more about their trade with educational visits from local farmers and butchers taking place in the workplace.

Tribe
Tribe is an award-winning PR agency that has been profitable every year since launching 10 years ago. Even during the recession, it has seen high levels of new business activity. It says this has been achieved by developing its people. Tribe invests considerable effort, time and funding in managing and developing members of staff. Tribe also supports staff undertaking professional industry qualifications by part-funding them and granting study leave. As team members make car trips to events and meetings across the east of England, it was decided to provide advanced driver training to keep them safe both on work and on personal trips in a variety of driving conditions. This was met with enthusiasm and positive feedback from all concerned.

Sponsored by:

Learning Skills Council. Leading learning and skills

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.

The LSC is committed to encouraging employers to develop their staff and to realise both employee and business potential. We are therefore pleased to sponsor the Staff Development Award.