UCAN are a training provider of Apprenticeships and other nationally recognised qualifications based in Bridgewater Somerset. They offer a range of technical and functional skills programmes which apply to employers, students, and apprentices. UCAN first achieved their matrix accreditation in 2020, and they were reassessed in 2023 against the updated version of the matrix Standard. Below is a conversation with Alan Pearce, Director of Teaching, Learning and Assessment & Careers Counselling Lead about their matrix Standard journey and how they have improved their Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) policies.

Their position before the matrix Standard

“We were largely a stable organisation with over 400 students and 15 assessors. We had a good reputation with the organisations we worked with. In terms of outcomes, almost all of our students completed their apprenticeships successfully. At the end of the course, we conducted a “Moving On” interview with each student, and we followed up their progress with a courtesy call six months later, but we did not use that information to improve our performance.”

“When we first got involved with matrix, we saw it as a kitemark as we wanted to apply for local government contracts. As most of our work has always been with schools, it was important for us to have an official quality mark. Since going through our matrix Standard journey, and seeing the progress it has made, it is more than a quality mark; it helps with our improvement practices and is now a regular item at Board Meetings.”

Applying the matrix Standard

“When I took over responsibility for our matrix Standard accreditation, we broadened our focus. I took time to learn about IAG and the importance of providing good career advice. Over the past 2 years, our assessor has provided clear direction for us, and we now have a better IAG offer. Two significant changes that our assessors have encouraged:

Offering Career Management Skills to our students. As they are already in employment, giving them advice about career development we felt that it might not always be appreciated by their employers, as it may look as though we are encouraging the apprentices to move to another employer! However, providing our apprentices with the skills, attributes, attitudes, and knowledge they require to manage their careers is giving the apprentices the support they need for career development. This has involved educating our students about possible routes for them to take in the future, advising them about how they can take these routes, and helping them access any additional training that would help them to achieve their aims.”

Making greater use of data to evaluate our IAG provision. This is an area where we are planning significant improvements following our matrix Assessment, including the adoption of the Scottish Blueprint Questionnaire to better measure progression.

Sustaining results from the assessment

Alan sees that matrix Standard has really helped with the recent Ofsted Assessment in March 2024.  The inspectors commented favourably on how “apprentices receive suitable advice and guidance on their next steps and how to achieve their goals.”  

He provided information from their 2022 matrix Assessment report, which gives an insight into how the IAG policy benefitted the support that their students received.

“The IAG policy sets out some intended outcomes of the support which includes 100% of students accessing guidance services to have a positive outcome in terms of application, enrolment, re-enrolment or referral.”

“UCAN provided information on ‘end of apprenticeship feedback’ which covered a period of five years, 2018 – 2023, which showed the extent to which apprentices maintained employment or gained new employment, promotions, increased hours, increased income, and intending to undertake further learning.”

“Over the last two years, our assessors have provided clear direction for us, and I think that we have a much better understanding of the potential IAG offer.”