THE work and dedication of the the staff of Columba's Primary School, Clady was recognised recently, with the presentation of an Investors in People award by Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey.

The school was one of 25 organisations that travelled to Hillsborough Castle recently to pick up their award. Investors in People is a business improvement tool that helps organisations compete and succeed through improved people performance.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister paid tribute to those organisations receiving awards.

He said: "The uptake of Investors in People in Northern Ireland is an encouraging sign for the local economy and should serve as an example to other employers not yet capitalising on the bottom line business benefits of the Standard.

Investors in People provides employers with a practical, user-friendly business improvement framework that ensures people know why they are in business and have the skills necessary to make a difference in business performance."

He added: "The Department for Employment and Learning's 'Success Through Skills' strategy identifies the need to not only understand the demand for skills, but to improve the skills levels of the workforce.

Investors in People is a means by which local employers can help tackle this area and ensure bottom line business results for themselves and the Northern Ireland economy."

Stressing that Investors in People recognition is not the end of the journey for the Award recipients, Mr Empey added: "Recognition as an Investor in People should not be seen as the end of a project, but rather the beginning of a sustained commitment to long-term business improvement through skills acquisition and employee engagement in business."

St Columba's principal Colette Maguire also expressed her delight at picking up the award.

"Achieving this prestigious award is recognition of the excellent team work in our school and the commmitment to the learning and development of all staff," she said.