ADP gained accreditation to the matrix Standard, which is also possessed by UK companies such as Rolls Royce, as part of a trial which has been established to assess whether the current matrix Standard assessment methods could be more flexible for small businesses.

The company has 14 employees and the skills held by these people are crucial to the success of the company, so it felt that the matrix Standard would be beneficial as it would, amongst other things, help the company to build a more superior staff development programme. Says ADP director, Peter Cornish:

"We first heard about the matrix Standard from our friends at Connexions Tyne and Wear, who explained that the quality mark was just what we needed to help with our employee development aspirations.

"The accreditation has helped us to restructure our training programme, to communicate better, and has even helped us to find out what our lads actually want to learn about.

"We are just a small engineering company, but the matrix Standard has helped us to formulate competent contracts of employment, develop health and safety and risk assessment programmes - and has even led to the creation of our first staff handbook."

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