From left: Marina Rumjantseva, Managing Director of Digital Design UK; Tony Ward, Chief Executive of Dorset TEC; Anthony R Rayner, Principal; Ludek Schollar a Senior Manager from Ceskoslovenkia Obchodni Banka a.s. (CSOB); and Shirley Cook, Vice Principal.

Ludek Schollar from CSOB is one of a long line of bankers from the Czech Republic who attend specialist English language lessons at the college. Vice Principal Shirley Cook said "The Czech Republic is a big marketplace for us - besides CSOB we provide specialist training for OB Leasing and KOB". "Our International Banking and Finance course is our highest selling course," said Principal Tony Rayner " due to IIP we have been able to increase our training budget and we currently have six assessors taking the AICB (Associate of the Institute of Certified Book-keepers) course, and hope to add this to our banking and finance portfolio in mid-summer."

The Bournemouth International Language College, which aims to develop the full potential of its students and assessors, achieved the Investor in People award with the guidance of Dorset Training and Enterprise Council (TEC). From an initial interview with TEC IIP Adviser Sally Woollacott, the College found it already had many very good working practices in place due to being an examination centre for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examination Board (LCCIEB).

Tracey Warwick, Deputy Manager said "IIP has really focused our training needs in line with company development needs. It means that you know the College is serious about training and ongoing standards. Personally, it has given me lots of opportunities to further my career and help develop myself, as well as contribute a great deal to the company."

There is a large database of freelance assessors that the College calls upon. The assessors have all worked in their subject field and are at various stages of their assessor awards, thus enabling them to verify students working for a National Vocational Qualification against the National Standards. Tony Rayner said "As a result of IIP we have been able to retrain teachers and trainers to work in the EFL world. All assessors also hold a Certificate in Teaching English for Business (Cert.TEB). Since embarking on IIP it has made a significant change in attitude, our assessors are more active and positive within the company. They are more client-focused and are prepared to go that extra mile, because they can see how it pays dividends for themselves."

The College attracts students from all over the world - top student numbers last year came from Czech Republic and Brazil. Other countries represented Russia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Thailand, China, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Holland, South Africa, Argentina, Columbia, Switzerland, Colombia, Slovakia, Taiwan, Japan. Top subject - Banking and Finance.

For more information on Investors In People and to find out how your organisation can attend subsidised IIP workshops please call Pearl Morrison on : +44 (0)1202 466403.

Press release by Freelance Reporter Gilson R da Rosa, Brazil, former student. Photographs and further information can be obtained from : Andy Renshaw, Dorset Training and Enterprise Council, 26 Oxford Road, Bournemouth BH8 8EY. Tel: +44 (0)1202 466402.