Transport Partnerships Rewarded

It has just emerged that some 17 local Rural Community Transport Partnerships have been awarded with the Investors in People (IiP) accreditation.

IiP has long been acknowledged as the most successful framework for business improvement through people.

It helps organisations of every size, sector and location to compete and succeed through improved people performance, giving businesses that all-important competitive edge.

Northern Ireland's Rural Community Transport Partnerships provide accessible individual and group travel services to community groups, older people and people with disabilities on a non-profit making basis.

Commenting on the IiP awards Employment Minister, Sir Reg Empey (pictured), said: "I congratulate each Rural Community Transport Partnership on this tremendous achievement, and commend the Department for Regional Development and the Community Transport Association for their support and financial contribution in assisting the community transport organisations through the Investors in People process.

"My Department has invested some £35,000 in supporting this group achieve IiP and I am pleased that they have achieved such success across the board."

Sir Reg added: "I am particularly pleased that these IiP awards have been presented to a group of not-for-profit rural community organisations, proving that IiP is very much relevant to the voluntary and community sector.

"I would urge more voluntary and community organisations to follow suit."

Raymond McAuley, Head of the Department for Employment and Learning's Management Development Branch, presented the IiP awards to each of each of the Rural Community Transport Partnerships during a celebration event, held at Belfast Castle.

(BMcC/GK)