Educ8 Group has achieved the Investors in People Platinum Status after its commitment to furthering staff’s personal and professional development was recognised.

Founded in 2004 by chairman Colin Tucker, the Ystrad Mynach-headquartered business has had a landmark year after acquiring Bridgend-based ISA Training, clinching Best Small Company in Wales to work for at the annual Sunday Times Best Companies Awards, and in June the business appointed Lions, Wales & Cardiff Blues legend Martyn Williams as Vocational Skills Ambassador.

Educ8 CEO Grant Santos said: “It isn’t uncommon for businesses to invest in its property, its infrastructure and its products and services. However, our staff are our most valued asset and this shows how serious we are in ensuring they have long, prosperous and rewarding careers within our business.

“Achieving Platinum level is incredibly satisfying, too, as we become only the sixth Welsh business to do so.

The award was presented to Educ8 by the Investors in People Wales Manager Sarah Botterill, who commented: “This level of accreditation has so far been achieved by under 2 per cent of all accredited businesses across the world. The decision to award Educ8 accreditation at Platinum level involved the triangulation of evidence across a range of sources; this included an online survey, individual conversations and focus-groups, as well as metrics scrutiny. It is evident that Educ8 truly values its people and justly deserves this recognition.”

Founder and Chairman, Colin Tucker, said: “Investors in People is a further demonstration that we are truly committed to developing our people to become the best they can be, both personally and professionally.”

Investors in People is respected for accrediting and working with organisations that show dedication to their own staff, with training, engagement and wellbeing all part of the vital mix that leads to organisational success.

Educ8 is on track to turnover £9m this financial year and it currently employs 185 staff across England and Wales.

Educ8 has operations across Wales and England and since the start of the year, the business has won Employer of the Year at the recent Federation of Small Businesses Awards, as well as doubling its staff numbers in the process.

Educ8 offers employers a series of interlinked opportunities such as Jobs Growth Wales and Apprenticeship Programmes as well as providing a seamless solution to staff recruitment and development requirements across many organisations.