MATRIX ACCREDITATION:

During September 2009 Pitman Training Centres City and Oxford Circus were awarded the Matrix Quality Standard for Information and Guidance Advice services.

"Pitman Training Centres London City & Oxford Circus have demonstrated that they meet the matrix quality standard for information advice and guidance services"

 

Some of the highlights from the Matrix Report ...

Information Advice and Guidance (IAG) is provided to external clients as an integral part of their learning journey. The reception area at City provides an important welcoming first impression that helps introduce a supportive approach to learning. A team of course advisers ensure people choose an appropriate course at the right level based on the identified needs of individual learners. Training advisers support clients throughout their programme by helping remove obstacles to learning. The newly launched Careers Corner is focused on learner progression.

"Pitman Training Centres (City & Oxford Circus) are committed
to continuous quality improvement."

During the Assessment several strengths were identified...

Pitman Training Centres do much to celebrate the success of learners by using case study material in promotional material. The ‘How did we do?’ and ‘Having your say’ material displayed in the main training area at the City Centre promotes the ongoing dialogue enjoyed between current learners and their training advisers and makes explicit an open and supportive learning environment.

Pitman Training Centres are client centred, impartial and objective. Learners were consistently positive about the IAG function. Pitman Training Centres were described as being ‘utterly professional’, ‘courteous’, ‘kind’, ‘helpful’, ‘flexible’, ‘accessible’ and ‘good’. One learner singled out ‘the excellent support’ as the reason for their return to take another training programme with Pitman Training. Retention and achievement figures reinforce comments made about the effectiveness of relevant learning programmes underpinned by an appropriate support infrastructure.

Pitman Training Centres have developed an effective network. For example, a long established and celebrated partnership with Tower Hamlets Local Authority enables the City Training Centre to deliver a number of government funded programmes for the neighbouring local community. Pitman Training Centres benefit from working in partnership with the internal Love & Tate Recruitment Consultancy who enjoy good links with a number of corporate clients including BP. Partners described Pitman Training Centres in terms of an established specialist training provider using adjectives like ‘reliable’ and ‘ethical’.

Evidence of staff motivation was gathered throughout Assessment against the matrix Standard. People described their individual responsibilities with enthusiasm. A commitment to staff development and learning by doing within a collaborative style of management is appreciated by a team of employees given the space to be creative in a blame free culture.


There was much good practice in evidence particularly within the flexible client centred approach taken to delivering training within a supportive and friendly learning environment.
 

"Learners confirmed the usefulness of ‘the unique level of support’ available within Pitman Training Centre programmes."