SERC awarded the prestigious re-accreditation for the @Matrix_Standard

Following a thorough inspection by an independent external assessor, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has been re-accredited the Matrix Standard for the quality of their Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance service (CEIAG).

The Matrix Standard is a unique outcome-based quality accreditation, which confirms that the services the College provides are of the highest standard. It reflects that SERC as an organisation which manages, administers and delivers information, advice and/or guidance service to support individuals in their choice of career, learning, work and life goals are meeting the standard.

SERC was the first college in Northern Ireland to receive accreditation back in 2009 and will retain accreditation until 2021.

The work of the Careers Advice teams across the College was the focus of the assessment, particularly their demonstration of enthusiasm and commitment to their roles and their impartial careers service advice being tailored to individual needs.

The assessment looked at the aims and objectives of the careers team and how they are working to support the College Plan. The assessor Sue Harding spoke to selected staff and students about their experiences.

SERC Head of Quality Excellence and Development Claire Henderson said:

“To receive this re-accreditation demonstrates that our careers advisors across all of SERC’s campuses are meeting the standard. They are the first point of contact with our students to provide impartial and confidential advice tailored to the students’ needs. This further demonstrates that our students are at the heart of all of the services we offer here at SERC.”

SERC principal and chief executive Ken Webb said:

“To be awarded this challenging national standard is a testament to the superb work that goes on across the College in supporting both our students and our staff. Congratulations must go to everybody who is involved in providing CEIAG services that are officially recognised as being of the highest standard.”

Feedback from assessor Ms. Harding identified several strengths that SERC demonstrates including:

• Expanded careers team who all demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to their roles and provide an impartial careers service which is tailored to individual client needs
• College priorities are very clear, and careers aims, and objectives fully support the College Plan.
• Robust monitoring systems in place (SER/QIP; Priorities; Action plans and IMPMS) which clearly demonstrated the ‘plan, do and review’ cycle which leads to continuous improvement of the service
• Very detailed information on the external and internal website which was very clear laid out for students who commented that they are aware of the available information and they use it to support their careers journey.
• Raised profile of careers at a strategic level in the college
• Excellent organisation of mini mock Interviews which allowed students to experience the “real thing”