Investing in people investing in education: is staff potential being met?

Many institutions are now attempting to demonstrate publicly their commitment to their staff and staff development, in pursuit of institutional goals, by measuring themselves against national standards,most notably, at present, the Investors in People (IIP) standard. Investigates the degree of readiness for such status in an education department within a college of higher education. Discusses of the relationship between appraisal, IIP status and Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) inspection. Follows with examination of the perceptions of staff towards a variety of motivational strategies. Asks staff to rate, in their view, how close the college is to meeting the demands of key criteria in the IIP standard. Uses the results to identify potential areas for further development prior to attaining IIP status.