The local government HR professionals' society, the Public Sector People Managers' Association, with the support of The MJ, has just launched its awards  for HR teams. Winners will be announced at its annual conference in March. Gillian Hibberd outlines the criteria

Building capacity for change and improvement is at the top of the HR agenda at present. And rightly so. 
With a tougher inspection process, the challenge of achieving efficiencies, and the war for talent still rumbling on, the HR profession's ability to evidence real progress is vital to its future success. 
So, how better to celebrate your own personal success than getting recognition for your efforts – and adding an award to your cabinet.
That's what the PPMA, in conjunction with The MJ, is offering at the PPMA national conference in Brighton in March 2007. An opportunity that is too good to miss for any self-respecting HR team.
We have chosen five award themes this year, which we think reflect the drive for continuous improvement in the public sector: