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This recognises the council as an organisation with a real commitment to championing better work and working lives.

For more than 100 years, the CIPD has been setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work. 

With hubs in the UK, Ireland, Middle East and Asia, it is the career partner of choice for almost 160,000 members around the world and its independent research and insights make it trusted advisers to governments and employers.

Cllr Simon Knoyle, Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Social Justice, welcomed the news: He said: “I’m very proud Neath Port Talbot Council is the first CIPD People Development Partner in Wales. The key to success for any organisation is how it develops, attracts and retains its people. We see the vital importance of having the very best HR capabilities and talent working for us.

“We want our people and workplaces to be best they can be, so we can deliver for local people and all those who work in or visit NPT. 

"All credit must go to our HR team for the high standards needed to achieve this. The team’s work will be critical as we deliver our Future of Work strategic workforce plan."

Sheenagh Rees, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Head of People and Organisational Development, said: “Our HR team needs to be up to the challenge of delivering our ambitious Future of Work strategic workforce plan. Working towards becoming a People Development Partner is giving us a really helpful framework to measure our effectiveness and plan our development.

“Getting this recognition from the CIPD will give the team a real boost. It will clearly signal we are committed to the development of our colleagues – listening to what is important to them and valuing the contribution they make to our services.”

Lesley Richards, Head of CIPD Wales, added: “The world of work continues to change at an unprecedented rate and therefore it’s vital that the people profession invests in itself to build the professional capabilities it needs for organisational success. This is great recognition, and as an organisation, the council can be particularly proud of becoming the first local authority and organisation in Wales to achieve PDP status.”