Hampshire firm one of first in region to win new award for staff guidance

Top quality staff training advice has been rewarded at Hampshire firm HSLH, with the awarding of a prestigious Matrix Accreditation in recognition of its standards.



The Fareham-based business, which delivers online e-learning courses to thousands of firms and individuals across Hampshire, Berkshire, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, is celebrating after being given the coveted award by the East Midlands Quality Centre.

The Matrix standard is presented to businesses which provide first class information, advice and guidance to their employees, in order to help them develop their careers and skills.

The award has previously been given to further education establishments, voluntary organisations and charities, but HSLH is one of the first commercial businesses in the region to achieve it, under a new Government pilot to extend the scheme.

Chief executive Denise Candy said: ìWe are thrilled to have won the award ñ we already have the Investors in People accreditation, and this is another wonderful recognition of our commitment to the training and development of our staff.

ìUnlike IIP, Matrix is designed to benefit the individual, not the business, but there are real advantages to any company which invests in its staffís learning in this way.

These include significant increases in staff skills, productivity and motivation, and higher employee retention levels.

ìItís quite a tough standard to achieve, but we took part because weíre a service organisation, and the award recognises the fact that we offer excellent service - to our staff and, by extension, to our clients.î

Workforce development methods which are rewarded by the scheme can include training, coaching, mentoring, management development or performance appraisals.

As part of the assessment process, HSLH staff were asked about the quality of training information offered by their employer, and whether or not they are involved in decisions about their future career development.

A Matrix advisor also offered HSLH guidelines on how to provide the best quality advice, and helped it to review and improve its internal staff support system. As a result, the firm has now introduced a formal internal complaints procedure for all employees.

Denise went on: ìFirst class staff training can have a significant cost, but with the Matrix accreditation, we can now be sure that we are getting the best possible return on our investment - and offering highly effective guidance which correctly identifies the future training needs of our entire workforce.î