SACC scoops prestigious quality standard

The college has achieved certification in the Training Quality Standard (TQS), the most challenging accolade training providers can earn.

SACC - which provides training for large and small organisations locally - achieved the certification after a rigorous assessment process which followed a year of working to meet the criteria laid down by TQS.

The certification, awarded by a panel made up of leading employers from a range of sectors, aims to help employers know which organisations can deliver high quality training by offering a measure of how well training providers are performing.

The TQS mark shows that the organisations certificated understand and exceed employers' needs. It focuses on quality, impact and continuous improvement in areas such as responsive service delivery; focusing on business needs; development and deployment of expertise and continuous improvement and learning.

The College was praised for its expertise in the following areas; working closely with employers to recognise key business needs and ensure that staff training resulted in improved business performance.

Miss Donna Hallissey , Innovation and Employer Responsive Director responsible for employer engagement, is thrilled that the work of the College has been endorsed by such an important and stringent quality assessment framework as the TQS.

Miss Hallissey said:  "This award means so much because it is based on our customer's levels of satisfaction with our service and reflects the hard work of the entire team. The College are especially delighted that it will be able to secure funding to support new apprentices and adults to improve their skills at work.

"Achieving TQS is an extremely challenging process which tests every element of the way the College works with employers to ensure its services are of the very highest standards.

"This includes ensuring we provide training that meets the needs of businesses, being responsive and continually developing our own expertise."

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Roger Hadley says: "We are delighted that the college has gained this very special standard. This latest accolade is another very tangible sign that this exceptional college is in the forefront of achievement. We are very proud of it."

The College typically provides training to more than 1000 employees annually in sectors as wide ranging as business development, health and social care, education, horticulture, management and customer service for both existing adult staff and apprentices. Subjects range from IT, business administration, team leading, marketing, health and safety, first aid and highly specialised bespoke courses designed at the request of employers.

For more information on Southend Adult Community College employer engagement services and courses available, please call 01702 445721 or visit www.southend-adult.ac.uk.