Preston’s College successfully retains prestigious Matrix Accreditation

Week commencing 17th June 2019, saw Preston’s College subject to formal review of its Matrix Accreditation, a unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services, which supports individuals in their choice of learning, career, learning and life goals.

Providing an industry standard for the provision of effective Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG), the rigorous and robust process, held across four days, comprised of over forty meetings with a selection of stakeholders and saw a number of strengths across the College identified and appraised.

Upon completion of the process, the Assessor, highly complementary in his feedback covering the college, staff and learners, surmised Preston’s College’s key strengths as:

1) Providing a clear and transparent approach to ensuring learning is relevant to the future employment prospects of learners, with information, advice and guidance permeating every area of delivery

2) Excellent use of Labour Market Information to inform learners of local, regional and national demands

3) Without exception, a strong understanding from all staff of the college’s mission and ethos, alongside strong beliefs that there are excellent communication channels, across internal and external audiences

4) A holistic package of support provided to all learners, with staff recognising the importance of teaching providing a link to the real world, with learners also being exposed to a broad range of employer input

5) Impartiality is apparent throughout the learner journey and is a key, reoccurring feature in all CEIAG

6) Staff value access to timely and appropriate CPD in order to improve practice and support the college drive for continuous improvement

Mick Noblett, Vice Principal – Curriculum, Delivery & Planning said, “The Matrix assessment, is a strong, robust process and this positive outcome reflects Preston’s College’s mission to ensure that all learners become the most employable. The provision of strong, clear, impartial advice and guidance is pivotal to achievement of this aim and we are delighted that the accreditation we received in 2016 has been retained, supporting the college’s aim to achieve high levels of retention, attendance, achievement and progression for all learners.

The CEIAG provision has been influenced and shaped by the views and suggestions of current learners, with the views of staff, learners and external organisations continuing to play a key role in driving and enhancing standards further.”