With almost 40 years experience in delivering Apprenticeships and Vocational Training, it’s no wonder that we’ve been reaccredited the matrix Standard. Every three years since 2008 Central have been awarded the Standard.
At the end of June 2021, we received brilliant news, following an assessment of our service by the Matrix Standard. Central Training Group passed the assessment again with flying colours and are overjoyed to be able to share the news with you all.
About Central Training Group
We’ve been in the business of providing Apprenticeships, Traineeships and Adult Courses since 1983, and have grown from supporting 200 learners to over 1,500 learners (a year). Our remit is wide, providing services to London, Essex, Suffolk, Harlow, Marlow, Reading, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Derby. We offer courses in:
- Hairdressing
- Barbering
- Beauty
- Business Administration
- Digital Marketing
- Customer Service and Retail
What is the Matrix Standard?
The Matrix Standard is a national quality standard carried out by the Department of Education (DfE). They aim to assess “organisations that deliver information, advice and/or guidance (IAG)” as some part of the service they offer, ensuring the delivery of information is to a high quality. Ultimately, this assessment measures the ability of an organisation to provide individuals with quality information, advice and guidance, which will empower them to make decisions on their learning, career, work and life aspirations.
How is the Matrix Standard assessment conducted?
Organisations, like ourselves, who feel that they should be awarded this Standard can apply to be assessed for the Matrix Standard by booking their assessment online at the Matrix Standard website. An assessor then conducts on site visits, interviews a range of people including staff, employers and learners, and reviews some company documents. For our assessment, the assessor visited our Head Office in Southend, interviewed 19 members of staff, 13 learners and 3 partners and reviewed documents such as our IAG & Admissions Policy 2020-21, and our Learner Resource Workbook.
Central Training Groups Strengths
Our Matrix standard assessment highlighted what we are doing right.
“The service is provided with clear leadership and direction”
We were commended for the way we plan strategically plan for the year ahead, how this information is shared amongst all staff members and the way we closely monitor and report performance. Our approach enables staff to keep a “finger on the pulse”, and our focus groups between Senior management and learners allows us to “close the loop” by delving into less tangible aspects of the learning experience at Central Training Group.
“Learners are given appropriate options to explore and understand so as to be able to make informed decisions”
We effectively meet the needs of our learners in a number of ways. One way is with our taster sessions and Traineeships which help learners understand the sector and type of career they are entering. Staff have noted that this has resulted in higher retention and happier, more motivated learners. Whilst the learners themselves spoke of the how positive the experience was.
Also noted was our work with major partners, in order to give learners the ability to understand different sectors, gain employability skills and be supported with career guidance. In cases where we can not provide a course to meet a learners’ career aspiration, we work with them to find a training provider who can. This highlighted Central Training Group’s dedication to “supporting learners to make appropriate informed decisions, rather than just preparing them for their own in-house training courses”.
Moving forward
As Central Training Group were successfully accredited the Matrix Standard (we were first accredited this award in 2008), we will undergo a Continuous Improvement Check, which takes place 12 and 24 months after the last review. We welcome or next review an strive to continue to develop and provide our learners with the best information , advice and guidance to ensure they are well equipped to make informed choices.
The Board would like to thank all of our staff and learners for their support, help and brilliant feedback during the recent Assessment but also for all of the hard work that has taken place throughout the whole year leading up to the reaccreditation.
