Conference celebrates the Matrix Standard in Higher education

The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) is working in partnership with colleagues in Student Services in Higher Education, to consider the benefits of accreditation against the matrix quality standard for information advice and guidance services.

The encouragement came at a joint AGCAS/ENTO national one day conference - The matrix Standard ñ Sharing Good Practice in Higher Education - which was held recently at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham.

Since its launch in 2002, more than 50 higher education careers services have achieved the matrix Standard. Now, AGCAS believes that continuous quality improvement is essential to the future development of careers work in higher education and for this reason it now requires institutional members to work towards accreditation against the matrix Standard.

Jan Perrett Deputy Director, Centre for Career Development, University of Nottingham and AGCAS Quality & Accreditation Co-ordinator explained, ìAGCAS has worked with and supported career services achieve the matrix Standard. We see it as an essential tool for continuous quality improvement and external validation of our service to clients.

As Student Services incorporates a variety of areas, such as welfare, accommodation, counselling, disability support and childcare, the organisation is much more complex than a single careers service. We are working with AMOSSHE to support and encourage Student Services to attain matrix.î

Tony Green, Chairman and Managing Director of ENTO, formerly the Employment NTO, who manage and promote the matrix Standard said: ìEvents such as this conference provide an opportunity to explain about matrix and deliver it to a wider audience along with celebrating and sharing in the success and benefits.î

Along with AGCAS and ENTO, the conference was held in conjunction with Guidance Accreditation Board (GAB) and the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education (AMOSSHE). The audience consisted of Higher Education staff and managers from around the UK, including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Since its launch, the matrix Standard has gained a broad range of stakeholders and audiences. Almost 1,000 organisations in England have now achieved the Standard.

For further information about the matrix Standard contact 0870 770 2468 or visit