Pictured: Enta chief executive Kevin Hayes with colleagues Jo Dearlove and Jason Fry, who led the preparations for the matrix assessment

Leading social enterprise Enta has become one of the first information, advice and guidance services in the UK to achieve a new national quality standard.

Birmingham-based Enta was awarded the prestigious matrix standard accreditation following an intense two-day assessment. 

Enta's customers, partner organisations and staff were all quizzed during the inspection, which looked at the quality of the careers support and advisory services it offers.

As a social enterprise training centre, Enta's guidance services are available to its learners and members of the public alike. They range from further education advice and help writing CVs, to supporting those who have been made redundant.

Matrix assessments are commissioned by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and carried out every three years on organisations that offer careers advice.

Although Enta had achieved the recognised matrix benchmark in the past, the standard required was raised considerably at the end of November following a Government overhaul of the system. Enta is now one of the first organisations to meet the revised criteria.

Enta's Jason Fry and Jo Dearlove led the social enterprise's preparations for the assessment and were delighted with the outcome.

Senior Manager Jason said: "Enta has been delivering quality information, advice and guidance for more than 30 years. We have helped thousands of people over the years and the new matrix award celebrates this success.

"It was an in-depth inspection from an independent assessor, and included discussions with more than 20 customers and learners across both of our sites - Mill Wharf and the Lakeside Centre, in Wyrley Birch."

He added: "We've always been confident about the quality of our advice and guidance and this has strengthened our belief that we can really make a difference for both young people and adults in the communities we serve."

Assessor Barry Kinsella praised Enta for 'going the extra mile' with its offer, in particular noting how well the social enterprise responded to feedback and consistently sought to improve its guidance services. 

"We are one of the first organisations to have achieved this new standard. It puts us in a really strong position when looking for new contracts and by reassuring those who come to us that we can help them out."

Enta is a long-established social enterprise and training provider, which has helped Birmingham teenagers to achieve qualifications - and in many cases go on to jobs through an apprenticeship scheme - for almost 35 years. 

At its Mill Wharf training centre, Enta also runs a range of other social enterprises. These include Little Mill Nursery, Top Lock Cafe, landscaping and construction services, conference rooms, as well as catering services ¬- including a Halal Kitchen.  

Enta also manages the popular Lakeside Children's and Family Learning Centre, in Wyrley Birch.