Wed, 12 Oct 2011

Skills minister John Hayes has launched a new standard for the incoming National Careers Service.

The Matrix Standard will promote effective delivery of information, advice and guidance to millions of people through the new National Careers Service, which launches next April.

National Careers Service providers will be assessed against a range of criteria including service delivery, quality improvement, resources and leadership and management.

The new standard aims to reassure people about the quality of advice they can expect to receive, and ensure providers plan, deliver, review, evaluate and develop their service. All National Careers Service providers will need to be accredited to the new standard by April 2013.

Hayes says: “High quality careers advice and guidance can make a real difference to people’s lives. It promotes social mobility and helps people make the educational, training and work choices that get them onto the right path in life.

“The Matrix Standard will guarantee the quality of the work of the new National Careers Service.”

Standards accreditation firm Emcq are responsible for managing the assessment and accreditation process and managed the trial of the new standard.