ASA is committed to providing a high-quality Information, Advice and Guidance service. This policy provides details of our service and the standards of delivery.
We aim to provide an independent Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service to individuals wishing to consider accessing the company’s training programmes, those already in learning with the company, and those who work for the company.
A high-quality Information, Advice and Guidance service is key to the success of the organisation; it ensures we have students on programmes suited to their needs and contributes to our retention and success rates. It also ensures that we have well informed employees who are able to offer effective (IAG) and contributes to our employee retention rates. The quality of the service is monitored through performance data and feedback from users.
The company supports the concept of lifelong learning and we will endeavour to help individuals make informed choices about training, their career and development opportunities in the context of their working lives and leisure activities.
Our Information, Advice and Guidance will be:
- Timely and in a form that is easily understood
- Independent, confidential and focussed on the needs of the individual
- Undertaken by employees trained to offer appropriate Information, Advice and Guidance
- Able to provide access to a range of agencies for specialist support
- Free from stereotyping in accordance with our Equality & Diversity Policy
- Easily accessible and clearly defined
- Free of charge to the users
- Subject to evaluation and continuous improvement encouraging individuals to get the most from the process
The service offer to students:
- Open access to information on education, training and career advice/opportunities in a range of formats
- An initial assessment to help identify students’ skills and aptitudes
- A trained ASA Employee to discuss student needs and aspirations and to plan for the achievement of goals
- Provision of the services of a trained employee of ASA
- Signposting to other agencies who may be able to help students in achieving their goals
- The opportunity for students to spend time with an employee of ASA to review and revisit their goals and discuss progress and next steps
- Access to a trained ASA employee to answer queries and provide advice by phone/email
The service offer to employers:
- Information and advice on the courses and qualifications we offer
- Information and advice on our bespoke training packages and how we can tailor these specifically to meet employer needs
- Advice on unit content and selection where qualifications are delivered
- Information on the cost of training and any funding which may be available to support the costs
- Information on their students’ progress whilst on their learning programme
- Information and advice on progression opportunities
- Signposting to other agencies who may be able to help employers in achieving their goals
- Opportunity to feedback on services received via regular employer surveys, in line with our Quality Assurance Policy
The service offer to employees:
- Information and advice about job roles and responsibilities during the recruitment process
- Structured information about the business during induction activities
- Regular information and advice through internal employee development
- Regular information and advice on business and personal performance and expectations through team meetings, one to one meetings and appraisals with line manager
- Regular business updates in a range of formats
- Opportunity to feedback on services received via our annual employee survey
- Completion of IAG qualifications
All service users can expect:
- A service delivered to recognised national standards
- A clear explanation of the Information, Advice and Guidance services we offer
- Trained and experienced employees who will treat all with respect and dignity
- A timely response to requests for information
- Up to date information on education, training and career opportunities/career advice in a range of formats
- Information on the cost of training and any funding which may be available to support the costs
- All information will be treated as strictly confidential in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR); see Data Protection Policy
