What it means for our learners, employers, and partners.
We’re pleased to share that The Apprentice Academy (TAA) has successfully met the Matrix Standard for Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) following an independent assessment in March 2026.
Accredited on behalf of the Department for Education, Matrix is the national quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and guidance services. Passing the assessment confirms that our approach to supporting learners and employers is robust, consistent, and focused on real outcomes.
But what does that mean in practice? And why should it matter to you or your business?
Here are the most important and useful findings from the report, not just the headline result.
What the Matrix assessment looked at
The assessment was carried out over three days and involved:
- Interviews with apprentices, employers, coaches, and senior leaders at TAA
- Reviews of policies, systems, and learner journeys
- A deep dive into how advice and guidance is delivered, not just documented
The outcome: TAA met the Matrix Standard, with the next review due in March 2029.
Information, Advice and Guidance at TAA: more than a tick-box
One of the strongest themes in the report was that IAG is embedded throughout everything we do, rather than treated as a one-off conversation at enrolment.
In practice, that means:
- Learners are carefully matched to programmes that suit their role, experience, and aspirations
- Initial assessments (including cognitive and skills scans) help identify support needs early
- Regular coaching sessions keep progress, wellbeing, and progression in focus
- Employers are actively involved throughout each apprenticeship through structured Tri-Party reviews
Safeguarding and progression planning were highlighted as integral parts of our IAG approach, not just add-ons.
Measuring what really matters: outcomes, not just completions
The report recognised the use of outcome-based measures, to understand the real impact our of apprenticeships.
We track learner and employer outcomes using the:
- 3 Cs – Confidence, Competence, and Career Capability
- 3 Ps – Productivity, Pay Rises, and Promotions
From our 2025 data:
- 100% of learners reported increased confidence
- 99.5% reported improved professional competence
- 100% reported increased career capability
- 77% of employers saw improved productivity
- 71% of learners achieved a pay rise
- 54% gained a promotion
These measures go beyond compliance and help employers see tangible returns on their investment.
Quality training at scale: growing without losing what makes us effective
Over the years, TAA has grown to over 1,000 learners. The Matrix report noted that this growth has been managed without compromising quality or learner support.
Key strengths highlighted included:
- A strong learner centred culture
- Clear organisational values rooted in social citizenship and community impact
- Consistent use of systems to personalise support
- Withdrawal rates significantly lower than the sector average (Our overall success rate was 79.2% in 24/25 which compares to the national average of 65.4%. To see how we compare to all other training providers please see here.
Useful insights for employers
For employers considering using apprenticeships as part of their workforce development plans, the report reinforces a few key points:
- Structured IAG helps apprentices stay on programme and perform better at work
- Regular, meaningful reviews strengthen alignment between learning and business needs
- Clear progression conversations improve retention and motivation
The report also recognises our growing work with employers on targeted programmes, including our newest apprenticeship Artificial Intelligence and Automation Level 4 with shorter modules extracted to include the AI Leadership – Developing AI Strategy.
Where we’re continuing to improve
Matrix isn’t just about what’s working, it’s also about recognising areas for continuous improvement.
Areas we’re actively developing:
- Raising the profile of careers guidance across all services
- Further upskilling staff to strengthen IAG capability
- Managing resources to better support learners with additional needs
- Ensuring consistency when learners experience a rare change of coach
We welcome these recommendations and see them as part of our ongoing commitment to raising quality and standards.
Why Matrix matters
Passing Matrix matters because it gives learners, employers, and partners confidence that:
- Advice and guidance is impartial, informed, and consistent
- Learners are supported as individuals
- Decisions are based on outcomes, not assumptions
Most importantly, it confirms that our approach to apprenticeships is about long-term career development, not short-term compliance. You can download the full report here.
If you would like to learn more about our approach, please get in touch.
