Lakes College retains national recognition for student support and career guidance

Lakes College has retained the prestigious matrix Standard, recognising the high-quality advice, support and career guidance it continues to provide to young people and adult learners across West Cumbria.

The accreditation confirms that students receive clear, reliable guidance to help them make informed choices about their future — whether that’s progressing into employment, apprenticeships or further study.

Based at Lillyhall, between Workington and Whitehaven, Lakes College supports key local industries including energy, construction, engineering, manufacturing and health and social care. Students benefit from strong links with employers, giving them real insight into the world of work and clear routes into careers.

From their first enquiry through to progression, students are supported with one-to-one guidance, work placements, and personalised career planning. This helps every learner understand their options and build a clear plan for what comes next.

The college offers a wide range of pathways, including apprenticeships, T Levels, higher education and supported internships. From September 2026, students will also be able to study A Levels through a new Sixth Form, giving families even more choice locally.

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.

Roger Chapman, Head of the matrix Service for the Growth Company said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Lakes College, and I would like to congratulate the team on their success. We believe that at the heart of high-quality advice and support services are strong leadership, excellent service and a focus on continuous improvement, all underpinned by effective use of the resources available.

“The matrix Standard is designed to benchmark organisations against best practice in these areas. With their accreditation success, Lakes College is working to provide the best possible support to their clients.”

Irene Farragher, Director of Student Services and Inclusion at Lakes College said: “This matrix accreditation recognises the dedication of our staff and the strength of our support services in helping learners progress, achieve and succeed.

“We are proud that our information, advice and guidance meets a nationally recognised standard of excellence.”

This continued recognition reinforces Lakes College’s commitment to helping young people build confidence, develop skills, and move successfully into their chosen careers.