Published: Tuesday, 4th Jan 2022

A service that helps unemployed Bolton residents improve their career prospects has received the gold standard for excellence.

The workshop team with cllr adele warrenBolton Council’s Workshop, a leading employability provider has been accredited to the Matrix Standard, demonstrating the high quality of support and advice given to its customers.

The Workshop, based at Paderborn House, employs 13 staff and has been operating since 2011.

The service helps residents improve their skills, health and wellbeing, confidence, work experience, and access to sustainable employment, acting as a supply chain partner for major employment support programmes.

The team deal with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and communities across Bolton. Many customers have barriers to work, including anxiety, depression or drug and alcohol misuse. The team provide 1-2-1 support for customers, developing a tailored action plan. The team have directly  assisted around 1500 people into employment and have also helped to improve the confidence, skills, qualifications and overall employability of between 4,000 and 5,000 other Bolton residents, through free support to individuals.

The Matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and/or guidance (IAG), either as their sole purpose or as part of their service offering.

Commenting on the award, Executive Cabinet Member, Cllr Adele Warren, said:

“I am thrilled for the team that their work has been recognised with this award. It is much deserved and great that they are having such a positive impact on local people’s lives by equipping them with the skills they need to get into work.”   

Roger Chapman, Head of the Matrix Service for The Growth Company said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for Bolton Council’s Workshop, and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. This accreditation demonstrates how the Workshop is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

For more information about the Workshop’s programmes for supporting local people call 01204 3338981, email the.workshop@bolton.gov.uk or follow “The Workshop Bolton” on Facebook.

For more information about the matrix Standard please visit www.matrixStandard.com.