Hounslow Council has received the Department for Education's (DfE) matrix Standard, an international recognition for delivering high-quality information, advice and guidance (IAG) for young and adult residents in the borough.

Learn Hounslow, Work Hounslow and Hounslow Connexions have been engaging thousands of residents to explore their goals and aspirations for learning and career development.

The teams help residents develop skills, training and employment pathways that match their needs, identifying existing and new opportunities available across the borough.

The three services within the Council have been assessed by The Growth Company, an independent organisation owned by the DfE, against a set of criteria for attaining the international standard.

Feedback from users, identified from the assessment report, has been "excellent", saying advisors from the teams have been supportive and they offer real and tangible support in reaching their learning and employment goals.

Data collected from the three teams indicate a high engagement rate of Hounslow residents in learning courses, training opportunities and significant improvement in employment.

The international accreditation will also support the further roll-out of the Council's Youth Skills & Employment Guarantee (YSEG), a comprehensive offer to support young people, aged 14 to 25, to better access to skills and employment opportunities across the borough.

Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills and Employment, said: "It's a fantastic achievement for the Council and its Lifelong Learning, Skills and Employment division to attain this international recognition.

"We are committed to supporting our residents through a systematic approach, ensuring everyone living in the borough, regardless of their background, can have access to good opportunities in learning, training and employment.

"Our residents can then possess the right skills and can plan for developing their full potential.

"Serving residents with their needs and priorities at heart, we are building a thriving community so that everyone can enjoy and benefit from the economic activities in the borough."

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for The Growth Company said: "The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas.

"With their accreditation success, Hounslow Council's Lifelong Learning, Skills and Employment division is working to provide the best possible support to all residents.

"We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available."

Find out more about the matrix Standard by clicking here.

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