PRRT AWARDED QUALITY STANDARD FOR CAREERS GUIDANCE

The Police Rehabilitation and Retaining Trust has been awarded a major quality award for its excellence in offering information, advice and guidance to former police officers seeking civilian employment.  One of only six Northern Ireland organisations, PRRT was awarded the Matrix Quality Standard by the Department for Employment and Learning.

PRRT Chairman Tim Lewis said, “We are delighted to receive this important award which recognises the very high standards of the Trust’s careers guidance to retired and retiring officers and underlines our commitment to provide quality information and advice.  As the Trust’s careers service has been in existence for only four years, this makes the meeting of this quality standard even more significant.

“To achieve the award our Careers Guidance and Personal Development Service underwent a rigorous three-day assessment exercise.  A crucial emphasis was very much on client feedback as users of the service were given an opportunity to relay their opinions and comments.  We look forward to using the enhanced client feedback systems and further strengthening our quality service in the future.”

John McKeown, Head of Careers’ Service, Department for Employment and Learning, said, “This is a superb achievement and I am particularly pleased to congratulate PRRT who have set an example to other employers and organisations involved in providing information, advice and guidance.  PRRT’s award was part of a pilot of the matrix quality standard in Northern Ireland and involved an extremely rigorous assessment focusing on how the organisation’s processes achieve accountability and excellence.”

The assessment leading to the Matrix quality standard was carried out at the Trust’s offices at Maryfield and PSNI Station Coleraine and conducted by an external assessor.  It focused on service delivery and service management and looked at how the Trust’s systems and procedures contribute to results. 

Over the next three years at least 1,000 officers are likely to leave policing through early severance, normal retirement and natural wastage.

< back