Training Academy gains Matrix Standard and City & Guilds accreditation
November 2010

Norse Training Academy has seen a double success in recognition of its learning development and training facilities.

The Academy has been awarded the Matrix Quality Mark for learning at work, and has also just become an accredited City and Guilds training provider.

The Academy provides learning and development and training services both to Norse staff and to external organisations.

In 2009/10 the Academy, which employs six full-time trainers, ran and organised courses for nearly 2,500 of the 5,300 Norse staff.

Hilary Hale, Corporate Learning and Development Manager at Norse Training Academy, said the accreditations were a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering significant benefits to all business partners.

“Our on-going learning and development gives Norse staff the opportunity to flourish, leading to greater job satisfaction, motivation and commitment, and thereby providing stability and consistency for our facilities management clients,” she commented.

The Matrix Standard, a national standard from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, is designed to help providers identify and follow best practice in delivery of Information, Advice and Guidance services.

The assessment for the Standard looked at the quality of service provision from the learner’s point of view, and involved interviews with the Academy’s training staff, Norse employees and external trainers the company uses.

The Accreditation Report highlighted the fact that ‘learners were consistently positive about the learning and development provided,’ and that ‘staff described their individual responsibilities with enthusiasm, and spoke of good team spirit across the company as a whole’.

Accreditation as a City and Guilds training provider has further enhanced the Academy’s opportunity to develop its portfolio of in-house courses to the nationally recognised level.

The Academy also works with a number of external training organisations to provide a range of courses and learning and development opportunities for Norse staff and managers at all levels throughout the organisation.