People 1st
People 1st is an employee-owned training and employability organisation operating across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. With a team of over 100 employees across both regions, we deliver skills development, accredited training, and support programmes that help people access and sustain meaningful employment.
Our mission is to create opportunities for individuals and communities through learning and work. As an Employee-Owned Trust, our success is shared, and our focus is on people - ensuring that those who deliver our programmes are valued, supported, and rewarded fairly for the contribution they make.
Motivation for Living Wage Accreditation
Becoming a Living Wage Employer was a natural extension of our values as an employee-owned organisation. We believe that fair pay is the foundation of a positive, motivated, and secure workforce. Our people deliver life-changing training and employment opportunities every day, and it’s important that they too feel valued and supported in their own work. Accreditation reflects our commitment to doing the right thing - not just for compliance, but because fairness and respect are at the heart of how we operate. Paying the Real Living Wage strengthens trust and helps sustain a culture of shared success.
Implementation Process
The accreditation process was straightforward and smooth. As a training organisation already committed to fair pay, the majority of our team were already earning at or above the Real Living Wage. Only a small number of employees were slightly below the new threshold, and their pay was adjusted immediately to bring everyone in line before we actually decided to get accredited while working towards the Belfast Business Promise Pledges. The administrative process for accreditation was clear and quick, taking only a few weeks from decision to completion. It felt like a natural step that reinforced our values as an employee-owned organisation.
Additional Workplace Changes
No major operational changes were required alongside accreditation, as pay equity had long been part of our culture. However, the process encouraged us to review a number of related HR policies to ensure alignment with our wider commitment to fairness and wellbeing. We are currently updating policies around benefits, flexibility, and recognition to reflect our people-first values. The Living Wage accreditation reaffirmed the importance of transparent and consistent pay structures, and it has strengthened our ongoing focus on staff engagement and retention across both jurisdictions.
Challenges and Barriers
There were no significant challenges in becoming a Living Wage Employer. The process was straightforward, and the decision had full support from the Board and leadership team from the outset. As an Employee-Owned Trust, our culture is already centred on shared responsibility and equitable reward, so the accreditation aligned seamlessly with our existing ethos. The small number of pay adjustments were managed easily within existing budgets, and overall the process reinforced a collective sense of pride in doing the right thing for our people.
Benefits of Living Wage Accreditation
As only a handful of employees were below the Living Wage threshold, the immediate financial impact was minimal. However, the symbolic value has been significant - reinforcing our message that fairness and respect are non-negotiable at People 1st. The accreditation has helped strengthen our employer brand and demonstrates to both current and prospective staff that we invest in our people. It also contributes to our reputation as a values-driven, community-focused organisation.
"Getting paid the real Living Wage has allowed me to start saving more for my future and plan for moving out of my parents’ house”
- Harry (employee)
“As an Employee-Owned Trust, we believe that every member of our team should share in the success they help to create. Paying the Real Living Wage isn’t just about fairness - it’s about valuing people, building stability, and ensuring that good jobs are truly good for those who do them. It’s central to how we contribute to the Department for the Economy’s vision of a productive, balanced, and inclusive economy. When our people feel secure and respected, they deliver their best for our learners, our partners, and our communities.”
- People 1st Directors