ROI Institute partners with Awards UK and abdi LTD to launch new qualifications in measuring ROI

October 2, 2008—(Cambridge,UK) Measuring the return on investment (ROI) in training and workplace skills will become much easier for companies thanks to a new qualification to be launched next week.

The qualification, developed by abdi Ltd and Awards UK, will be presented to individuals who train in the Return on Investment (ROI) methodology and then successfully complete a work-related assessment.

The ROI methodology – developed by ROI Institute founder Dr Jack Phillips –highlights both business benefits and value in all people-related investments. abdi Ltd, ROI Institute’s partner in the UK, and Awards UK, an organization jointly-owned by EdExcel and the Scottish Qualifications Authority, will launch the new qualifications at the Global ROI Conference in Dublin on October 8-10.

Already, a number of blue chip firms have started to build ROI standard measurement systems for their HR and learning and development investments reporting, including: BT, Lloyds TSB, BBC, ITV, Friends Provident, NHS, Nokia and Rolls-Royce.

John Dick, Director, Awards UK, said, “As a company we aim to help businesses realize the benefits of recognizing their staff training through accredited qualifications.” Investing in staff is important as it can have many positive impacts for companies, such as increased profits, better staff retention and the ability to demonstrate capability to potential new customers. This ladder of awards is in itself recognition of training and workplace knowledge which puts firms in an excellent position to really assess the value of HR and training activities.”

Jane Massy, CEO of abdi, said, “Answering the perennial question of ‘what did we get for our money?’ has often been difficult for businesses to answer, but the ROI methodology gives practitioners the ability to identify value-added benefits as accurately as possible by tracking and isolating impact so that other effects are discounted. Ensuring a good ROI is always important for businesses, but efficiency is even more crucial when capital is tight and there is no room for wastage.”

“The ROI methodology is the gold standard around the world and builds on the training measurement principles developed by the US academic Donald Kirkpatrick in 1959 and then transformed into the leading global impact measurement methodology by Jack Phillips.”

Jack Phillips, founder and chairman of the ROI Institute said, “This is the first time anywhere in the world that a national awarding body and an ROI Institute partner have got together to accredit the ROI methodology. Our exclusive UK partner, abdi Ltd and Awards UK have done a great job. This is going to encourage individuals, companies and organizations of all sizes to commit themselves to learning how to measure impact credibly.Its other truly innovative aspect is the accredited professional development structure it provides. What we know from the 51 countries we now work in and the 3,500 organizations using the ROI Institute Methodology is that you never stop learning about the different circumstances and problems associated with showing value. We all need to continue learning, and the only way to do that is to learn from each other.”

Patti Phillips, president of the ROI Institute and a board member of abdi Ltd, said, “When times are tough everyone needs to know that they can track the value of their investments, and human capital investment is among the most important areas. This new awards structure will get those skills to key people in learning and development and HR, and in activities like change management, marketing, coaching, economic development and innovation. And it will build a community of knowledge and continuing professional development in the UK that I think other countries will want to look at and emulate.”

The two-day course will see participants awarded the Foundation Certificate in Business Impact and ROI Measurement. A further certificate is being developed at a higher level which can be attained after the three-day course which involves producing a case study evaluation. For more information about the ROI qualifications, visit www.abdi.eu.com