Department for Energy Security and Net Zero achieves CIPD People Development Partner status

The CIPD has awarded People Development Partner (PDP) status to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, for its commitment to developing its workforce and investing in its people function.  

To be awarded PDP status, organisations need to demonstrate their commitment against five criteria that show a commitment to building the capability and credibility of their people function.

The Department’s work is focused on the energy portfolio from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It employs around 2700 people, about 100 of whom work within the people function. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero joins other PDP partners, including the Ministry of Defence, the Royal Air Force, and the Home Office.  

The CIPD has been working closely with the department over the past 18 months and has witnessed a true commitment to them investing and building the capability and credibility of their people function. 

The department encourages those working in the people function to become CIPD members – and more than 50% of the people function workforce are already benefitting from membership. 

To achieve PDP status, the department adopted the CIPD profession map and standards in its HR training plans and recruitment processes. They also continue to invest in routes to membership for their workforce, including CIPD Qualifications, Experience Assessments and Upgrading. In addition, the department also provides apprenticeships, with several HR employees currently undertaking an HR apprenticeship.

Over the past 12 months, the Department has also invested in a number of programmes, including: 

• Running profession map sessions as part of HR huddle events. 
• Engaging with the CIPD Trust. 
• Implementing the People Impact Tool into its development strategy.
• Learning and development in areas such as Business Partnering, Data and Analytics, Employment Law, and Strategic Workforce Planning.

This ensures that HR colleagues have an opportunity to refresh their core knowledge and share their experience in these key areas.  

The signing of the partnership agreement by Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD and Alice Hurrell, Chief People Officer of the department at their HR Conference in London on 5 July symbolises an important alliance in the people profession.